France has always had a cautious attitude towards the free trade agreement between the European Union and the Latin American Mercosur countries, to be concluded in 2019. It is even a “firm opposition” since January 2024 and the anger movement that swept through the farming world. “You have to refuse it”insisted Michel Barnier on France Bleu this Friday. This massive, cross-party rejection is largely due to the gap in environmental and health standards between the European and South American markets. The European Union imposes much stricter production constraints than in South America, and those opposed to the idea fear unfair competition for farmers. These are mobilizing in France over the next few days, in response to union calls.