An “insult,” “a betrayal,” and ultimately, “the death of agriculture” in France: representatives of the agricultural world and a large part of the political class condemned on Friday the remarks of President Emmanuel Macron, who is now viewing the trade agreement between the EU and four Latin American countries of Mercosur more positively.
French President Emmanuel Macron addresses the press during COP30, the United Nations climate conference, in Belém, Brazil, on November 6, 2025. (Photo: Ludovic MARIN / AFP)
Paris – The French president, speaking Thursday to the press on the sidelines of the summit of heads of state preceding COP30 in Belem, Brazil, expressed himself as “rather positive” about the possibility of accepting this free trade agreement. After the outcry caused in France, he stated he remains “vigilant” and is still waiting for “clear answers,” on Friday in Mexico.
These statements were followed a few hours later by those of the French Minister of Agriculture (from LR) Annie Genevard, who believes that the guarantees obtained by France to protect its farmers and breeders are not yet sufficient.
“France’s red lines have been known from the start (…) And today, even if there are advances, it is not enough,” she said in a message posted on X.
On both the left and the right, a large part of the political class reiterated on Friday that this agreement should be “rejected.”
For the powerful agricultural union FNSEA, the position of the head of state is “a total betrayal.”
According to Véronique Le Floc’h, president of the Rural Coordination, “Mercosur is the death of agriculture.” (November 7, 2025)
