Brussels 09.01.2026 Today France, and four other countries, including Poland, voted against Mercosur. Their opposition was not enough to prevent the adoption of the Free trade agreement, supported by major players like Germany and Spain and championed by the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, who is expected to travel to Paraguay on January 17 to sign the text in an official ceremony. (Image above: Floralis Genérica, Eduardo Catalano, Buenos Aires)

Today’s Council decision to support the EU-Mercosur deal is historic.

Europe is sending a strong signal.

We are serious about creating growth, jobs and securing the interests of Europeans consumers and businesses.

With Mercosur, we are creating a shared market of 700 million… pic.twitter.com/WMGXWzFgua

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) January 9, 2026

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To be adopted, the Mercosur treaty needed a qualified majority, meaning the votes of 15 member states representing at least 65% of the European Union’s population. In this voting system where each country’s demographics count, the approval of Italy, under Giorgia Meloni, was crucial in preventing the rejection of the text, as desired by France and Poland, two of the five most populous EU countries with over 105 million inhabitants combined.

In addition to Paris and Warsaw, Ireland, Hungary, and Austria refused to ratify the agreement. Belgium abstained, which is equivalent to a vote against in the qualified majority system.

“The Council today adopted two decisions authorising the signature of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement (EMPA) and of the Interim Trade Agreement (iTA) between the EU and Mercosur” the press-release of the Council reads.
“Together, these agreements mark an important milestone in the EU’s long-standing relationship with Mercosur partners – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Once in force, they will establish a framework for political dialogue, cooperation and trade relations within a modernised and comprehensive partnership.
“The agreements will require the consent of the European Parliament before they can be formally concluded by the Council. Ratification by all EU member states will also be required for the EMPA to enter into force.”

However French deputes of National Assembly blame President Macron for the failure to defend their national interests. “For months we have stood with the farmers fighting against the Mercosur agreement and against the government’s disastrous handling of the DNC (National Development Plan). My colleagues from La France Insoumise (LFI) have been working tirelessly for several days to support those who have traveled to Paris” Aurélie Trouvé said.

🔴 Depuis des mois nous sommes aux côtés des agriculteurs qui se battent contre l'accord avec le Mercosur. Et contre la gestion catastrophique de la DNC par le gouvernement.

Mes collègues LFI sont sur le pont depuis plusieurs jours pour soutenir ceux montés à Paris. pic.twitter.com/BnSRqZDI3Y

— Aurélie Trouvé (@TrouveAurelie) January 9, 2026

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“If the Mercosur treaty is approved, it will be President Macron’s fault. He never actually opposed it!” she added. “His vote against it changes nothing.”

Ahead of the Council vote on the EU–Mercosur Trade Agreement, the European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions (EFFAT) reiterates its strong concerns and opposition to the agreement in its current draft. EFFAT General Secretary, Enrico Somaglia stated:

“This Mercosur deal leaves workers exposed, agriculture unprotected, and labour rights unenforceable, while the Commission is offering little more than a reshuffling of existing EU funds to reassure farmers against expected shocks. In a challenging geopolitical context, trade agreements can be important tools to bring stability. However, without strong safeguard measures for working people, they risk becoming yet another source of social dumping, inequality and unfair competition.”

EFFAT’s opposition to the agreement is mainly driven by the following shortcomings:

Lack of enforceability of labour standards:
The agreement fails to deliver meaningful improvements in the enforcement of core labour standards. As it stands, it neither contributes to raising labour standards in Mercosur countries, nor prevents social dumping affecting the European Union. Compliance with ILO Conventions remains weak across Mercosur countries, and the agreement lacks credible and binding mechanisms to ensure respect for workers’ rights. The Trade and Sustainable Development chapter must be significantly strengthened and made enforceable.

Inadequate safeguards for the agricultural sector:
The additional safeguards proposed for agriculture are insufficient and will not effectively mitigate the economic impact of the agreement on the food value chain. Agriculture is an extremely sensitive sector, highly exposed to external shocks, yet this reality is not adequately reflected in the agreement. EFFAT cannot accept that agriculture continues to be treated as a bargaining chip to facilitate trade liberalisation in other sectors.

Lack of a proper socio-economic impact assessment and flanking measures:
As in other Trade Agreements the Commission has moved forward without proper and granular socio-economic impact assessments and without measures to anticipate change. EFFAT urgently calls for concrete support and flanking measures for workers whose jobs may be affected. Existing EU instruments, such as the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund and the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), must be further strengthened and mobilised to protect affected workers and communities.

EFFAT therefore calls on Member States, the European Commission, and the European Parliament not to proceed with an agreement that risks having negative consequences for essential sectors of the economy, such as agriculture and food. No signature of the deal should take place until the protection of jobs is guaranteed and respect for workers’ rights and labour commitments is significantly reinforced”.