Tractors Take Over Paris as French Farmers Revolt Against Mercosur Deal

A farmer from the Coordination Rurale union stands next to police officers near tractors parked in front of the Arc de Triomphe during a protest against the government's handling of the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement and the handling of the lumpy skin disease outbreak, in Paris, France January 8, 2026.

French farmers brought parts of Paris to a halt as they drove tractors into the city to protest the European Union’s proposed trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc. The demonstrators argue the deal would expose them to unfair competition from cheaper South American imports produced under less stringent environmental and animal‑welfare rules.

Members of the Rural Coordination union arrived before dawn, steering tractors toward major landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. Many displayed banners rejecting the agreement, which would expand trade between the EU and countries including Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

Farmers say the deal threatens their livelihoods by allowing an influx of low‑cost agricultural products, particularly beef, at a time when they already face rising production costs and strict domestic regulations. Some also expressed frustration over the government’s handling of a recent cattle disease outbreak, adding to a broader sense of neglect in rural regions.

While officials criticized the blockades as unlawful, they acknowledged the farmers’ concerns. France has previously signaled reservations about the Mercosur deal, but unions insist the government must take a firmer stance to protect domestic agriculture.

As tractors lined the streets near the National Assembly, farmers vowed to keep up the pressure. “We said we’d come to Paris — here we are,” one organizer declared.