The Vikings of the 9th century and the 19th century Prussian troops have not returned. They are now French farmers who have proposed to lay siege to Paris this Monday, protesting against the new environmental, tax, and social policies implemented by the French Government and the European Union. They aim not only to block access to the French capital but also to prevent the entry of Spanish transporters into their territory. These actions have caused tensions between France and its neighboring countries.

The French Government, led by President Macron, has accused Spain and Italy of unfair competition that harms French farmers. In a recent speech, Gabriel Attal, the prime minister appointed by Macron, questioned the functioning of the European Union and emphasized the importance of independence and sovereignty. This position contradicts the pro-European stance of the current French Government.

Attal criticized the imposition of phytosanitary rules on French farmers while other countries do not face the same regulations. He highlighted that France imports 40% of its fruits and vegetables, especially from Spain and Italy, due to environmental restrictions imposed by its legislation. Attal insisted on proposing additional measures to protect French food sovereignty during discussions with European partners.

Although these statements may suggest upcoming disagreements between France and the European Union, the French Minister of Agriculture, Marc Fesneau, denied any plans for border closures regarding Spanish or Italian products. However, during the ongoing riots, many protesters expressed concerns about the entry of agricultural products, particularly from Spain, citing unfair competition and lower environmental standards.

In response, French farmers’ associations continue their protests, with plans to block access to Paris indefinitely starting at 2 PM on Monday. Additionally, Rural Coordination announced intentions to block the international market of Rungis, considered the world’s largest market for fresh products. To counter these actions, the French Interior Minister, Gérald Darmanin, announced the deployment of 15,000 police officers to protect the access roads to Paris and prevent the confiscation of trucks transporting foreign products.

Meanwhile, the National Federation of Transport Associations of Spain (Fenadismer) reported up to 189 obstruction points caused by the blockades of French farmers on Spanish road transport. These blockages have caused significant damages to transporters, estimated at 10 million euros per day.

The Impact of Mercosur Agreements

French farmers and ranchers also express concerns about free trade agreements between the European Union and other regions, which they believe negatively affect their interests. These agreements enable products to enter France at lower prices. The EU-Mercosur agreement, in particular, has faced heavy criticism and awaits ratification by the 27 EU member states after being agreed upon politically in 2019, after more than two decades of negotiations.