French Farmers Block Paris, Protesting Massive EU-South America Trade Deal

French farmers drove scores of tractors into central Paris today. They are protesting a planned trade deal between the European Union and the South American bloc Mercosur. The agreement would create the world's largest free-trade area. But many European farmers say it threatens their livelihoods. They fear the deal will allow cheaper meat and grain from South America into the EU market. This, they argue, would undercut local producers who face stricter environmental and safety rules. The protest caused significant traffic disruption in the French capital. It highlights the strong opposition to the deal from the agricultural sector within key EU nations. Negotiations on the Mercosur agreement have been ongoing for over two decades. Final approval requires all EU member states to agree.