French farmers block roads and ports as EU prepares to sign Mercosur deal

Farmers stop truck drivers to inspect transport of foreign products, as part of national protests against the EU-Mercosur agreement and the government's handling of the contagious nodular dermatitis (CND) epidemic, at the harbour of Le Havre, northwestern France on 12 January 2026. AFP - LOU BENOIST

French farmers have pressed on with protests on Monday, as Brussels confirmed that EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen will sign the long-awaited EU trade deal with Mercosur next weekend.

The European Commission announced on Sunday that the agreement with the South American Mercosur bloc will be signed in Paraguay on 17 January, after EU member states gave the green light on Friday despite objections from several countries, most vocally France.