Potato riots in Brussels

On December 18, farmers from the EU blocked streets in central Brussels with thousands of tractors, protesting against the European Commission's signing of a major trade agreement with Mercosur (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia). Farmers believe the agreement benefits only certain countries: Germany, Spain, and Northern European countries will support the expansion of machinery, chemical, and automobile exports. Meanwhile, France, Belgium, Italy, and other agricultural nations fear that cheap and high-quality Argentine and Uruguayan products—beef, meat, sugar—will flood the market and worsen the situation for local livestock farmers.

Those who benefit from the partnership through new sales channels—that is, countries with developed industries and export orientation—support the deal, while existing farmers fear losing competitiveness.

Context

The EU-Mercosur agreement provides for expanded trade cooperation between the European Union and the South American bloc, including the export of meat, technology, and goods.