E. Macron: The Mercosur deal is not right for France

French President Emmanuel Macron has told European Union (EU) leaders that a proposed trade deal with the Common Market of the South American States (MERCOSUR) is not good for his country's agriculture, Elysee Palace officials said on Tuesday.

„The president made it very clear to (European) Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council (EC) President Antonio Costa that the agreement is not compatible with the protection of French farmers“, a French presidency official said after the EU leadership, backed by Germany, demanded that a deal with the South American bloc be signed by year-end.

The EU leader is scheduled to travel to Brazil on Saturday to sign the agreement, which would create the world's biggest free trade area after 20 years of negotiations.

But EU member states must first approve it, while influential France has asked for the signing to be postponed until 2026 because its conditions have not yet been met.

The deal would allow the EU to export more vehicles, machinery, wines and spirits to Latin America, while making it easier for South American beef, sugar, rice, honey and soy to enter Europe.

France, fearing that this would damage its agricultural sector, has demanded strict safeguards, tighter import controls and stricter standards for Mercosur producers.