French farmers block Paris streets in protest against Mercosur trade deal
PARIS, Jan 8 (Reuters) - French farmers launched a pre-dawn blockade of roads into Paris and several of the city's landmarks in protest against a sweeping trade deal the European Union hopes soon to sign with South American nations as well as other local grievances.
Farmers from the large Coordination Rurale union called for the protests in Paris amid fears the planned free trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc will flood the EU with cheap food imports, and in anger at the government's handling of a cattle disease.
"We are between resentment and despair. We have a feeling of abandonment, with Mercosur being an example," Stephane Pelletier, a senior member of the Coordination Rurale union, told Reuters beneath the Eiffel Tower.
FARMERS' PROTEST PILES PRESSURE ON MACRON
The farmers overran police checkpoints to enter the city, driving along the Champs Elysees avenue and blocking the road around the Arc de Triomphe monument before dawn on Thursday, while police surrounded them.
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/protesting-french-farmers-bring-tractors-paris-2026-01-08/