France vows strong opposition to forced EU-Mercosur trade deal

(MENAFN) French President Emmanuel Macron declared on Wednesday that France will “oppose very firmly” any attempt to push through a trade agreement between the EU and the South American bloc Mercosur if it is forced upon member states.

Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon said during a briefing that Macron emphasized Paris’s readiness to resist the deal should European institutions attempt to impose it. The president reportedly noted that key issues, including “mirror measures, the safeguard clause, and controls,” lack sufficient clarity.

Bregeon also highlighted Italy’s current resistance as evidence that France is not isolated, pointing out that other major European countries share its concerns. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told lawmakers that Italy would not approve the agreement in its present form, calling it “still premature.” She emphasized the need for additional “reciprocity guarantees” to protect European farmers and expressed optimism that these conditions could be addressed early next year.

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