French Farmers Protest With Tractors Over EU-Mercosur Trade Pact

French farmers staged widespread protests across the country, using tractors to block roads and access to key sites. The farmers are urging the government to oppose the proposed EU-Mercosur trade pact, which they believe will expose them to unfair competition from South American countries. The protesters argue that the deal will allow imports of agricultural products from Mercosur nations (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay) at lower prices, undercutting French farmers and threatening their livelihoods. They are demanding that the government take a firm stance against the trade agreement and prioritize the protection of the domestic agricultural sector. The protests reflect the ongoing tensions between French farmers and the government's trade policies, as well as the broader concerns about the impact of globalization and free-trade agreements on local industries. The French government is facing pressure to address the farmers' concerns and find a balance between international trade agreements and the protection of the country's agricultural sector.