Friday, January 9, 2026- Dozens of French farmers drove around 100 tractors into central Paris in a high-impact protest against a proposed European Union free trade agreement with South American Mercosur nations.
The convoy pushed through police checkpoints, blocking major roads and disrupting traffic near key landmarks, including areas around the Arc de Triomphe and close to the Eiffel Tower. The action highlighted mounting anger within France’s agricultural sector and brought the dispute directly into the heart of the capital.
The protest was led by major farming unions, including Rural Coordination, which argued the Mercosur deal would open the door to cheaper agricultural imports from countries such as Brazil and Argentina.
Farmers say this would undercut French producers already struggling with rising costs, strict environmental rules, and tougher health regulations. Many fear the agreement would erode domestic farming standards while exposing local producers to unfair competition.
The demonstrations come as France signals it will oppose the Mercosur agreement at the EU level, even as several other member states support it. Despite Paris’s stance, the deal could still move forward if enough countries backed it, intensifying pressure on the French government.
The tractor protests underline deep tensions over trade policy and signal that resistance from farmers is likely to escalate as the decision approaches.
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