European and French agricultural interests continue to clash over trade rules and sovereignty, stressing strict safeguards for agriculture and consumer protection.

Farmers’ groups and rural representatives, including Coordination rurale, criticized the decision as a betrayal and suggested that France’s influence is waning while Germany may be steering Europe.

The broader legal and political debate over the agreement’s implications for EU agriculture and trade dynamics persists.

The provisional move sidesteps the European Parliament, inviting scrutiny and potential controversy among lawmakers.

France and other opponents warn the deal could boost imports of cheaper agricultural products and harm domestic farmers, even as some EU nations see export potential.

Socialist Party leaders argue the Commission could have paused or withdrawn its stance at the Salon de l’Agriculture, accusing it of betraying farmers.

The agreement would create one of the world’s largest free trade zones, spanning over 700 million people and about a quarter of global GDP, after a 25-year negotiation process.

The EU approves provisional application of the Mercosur deal after Argentina and Uruguay ratified it, with Brazil and Paraguay expected to follow, signaling a rapid move to implement a sweeping trade agreement.

Ongoing concerns about agricultural standards and inspections remain, with critics fearing EU norms could be undermined if safeguards aren’t effectively enforced.

The debate unfolds during the Salon de l’Agriculture and ahead of municipal elections in France, amplifying political tension around the Mercosur deal.

France’s president warned that the move heightens uncertainty for farmers and that Europeans still lack sufficient visibility into the deal’s actual impact.

Germany and Spain back rapid implementation to counter shifts in global trade, while France resists due to farmers’ concerns, prompting Commission safeguards.