France and Italy Unite to Delay EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement Ratification over Agricultural Safeguards

French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have joined forces to oppose the rapid ratification of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, citing concerns over insufficient agricultural protections and demanding more guarantees before approval.

During a cabinet meeting on December 17, Macron asserted France’s firm opposition to any attempt by EU institutions to push the agreement through without satisfying specific conditions. These include implementing “mirror measures,” establishing safeguard clauses, and better control mechanisms to protect French agriculture. Meloni echoed Macron's stance, calling any imminent signing "premature" as Italy seeks further assurances for its farming sector. The Italian Prime Minister emphasized that the deal should benefit all sectors and that existing proposed safeguards and compensation funds are not yet finalized.

This united front by France and Italy challenges a bloc of EU members, notably Germany and Spain, who advocate for swift approval of the deal. The combined demographic and political weight of France, Italy, along with support from Hungary and Poland, could form a blocking minority in the EU Council, effectively delaying the agreement’s ratification.

The EU-Mercosur agreement, years in negotiation, aims to create the world’s largest free trade zone by enabling increased exports from the EU and enhanced access for South American agricultural products. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has urged European leaders to finalize the deal promptly, warning that failure to do so would stall progress during his presidency. However, European farmers, particularly in France and Italy, have mobilized against the deal, fearing market destabilization and unfair competition.

The French government sees Italy’s reservations as a diplomatic victory and stresses that France is not alone in its cautious approach. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu warned that France would oppose any unilateral EU push for ratification without consensus. The European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, still aims for a signature before year’s end to preserve EU credibility and relations with Latin America but faces significant hurdles.

Both Macron and Meloni expect the necessary conditions to be met by early 2026, signaling a postponement rather than outright rejection. This ongoing ambivalence underscores tensions between maintaining food sovereignty and pursuing ambitious trade liberalization goals. The upcoming European summit on December 18-19 will be critical in determining the agreement’s immediate future amid these political complexities.