France will vote against the European Union’s planned trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc, President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday, as farmers staged large-scale protests across Paris to oppose the deal.

Farmers blocked major roads into the capital and gathered at landmarks including the Arc de Triomphe, warning that the agreement with South American nations would flood the EU with cheap food imports that do not meet European standards. The demonstrations were called by the right-wing Coordination Rurale union and later joined by other farm groups.

france mercosur

French farmers, members of the Coordination Rurale (CR), attend a protest against the government’s handling of the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement and the handling of the lumpy skin disease outbreak, in Paris, France, January 8, 2026. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

Macron said on social media that France would vote against signing the agreement at an EU meeting on Friday, despite what he described as “major commitments” secured from the European Commission. He added that the signing would not be the end of the process and vowed to continue fighting to protect French farmers and ensure those commitments are fully implemented.

Ireland has also said it will vote against the deal, but the agreement is still expected to be adopted as the European Commission has secured backing from countries including Italy, Germany and Spain.

The Mercosur pact has become a politically sensitive issue for Macron, with municipal elections approaching and the far right polling strongly ahead of the 2027 presidential race. French Farm Minister Annie Genevard said France would continue to oppose the agreement in the European Parliament, whose approval is also required.

france mercosur

French farmers, members of the Coordination Rurale (CR), demonstrate in front of the National Assembly during a protest against the government’s handling of the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement and the handling of the lumpy skin disease outbreak, in Paris, France, January 8, 2026. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Beyond Mercosur, farmers protested against high production costs, what they see as excessive local regulation, and government policies to cull cattle in response to a contagious disease. Tractors caused major traffic disruption, overrunning police checkpoints and forcing their way into central Paris, though authorities said the demonstrations remained largely peaceful.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said further protests were planned nationwide on Friday as tractors began leaving the capital.