Farmers in France, Greece Block Streets in Protest Over EU–Mercosur Trade Deal

Farmers in Europe have been concerned that the deal would see markets flooded with cheap goods, hurting their industry.

Tractors line up near the Eiffel Tower as farmers protest the European Union’s intention to move forward with the Mercosur trade deal with five South American nations, in Paris on Jan. 8, 2026. Christophe Ena/AP Photo

Farmers in France and Greece took to the streets in their tractors on Jan. 8 to protest the European Union’s plans to move forward with a free trade deal with the South American Mercosur trading bloc.

In France, farmers drove about 100 tractors into Paris and gathered in front of the National Assembly, the country’s lower house of parliament, to demonstrate their opposition to the deal.