Protesting farmers try to breach police barriers at Brussels EU summit

Protesting farmers attempted to break through police barriers en route to Brussels’ European quarter during the EU summit.

Police fell back behind barricades and used tear gas and water cannons to stop aggressive participants, Caliber.Az reports via TASS. 

Thousands of tractors took to the streets to protest EU cuts to agricultural spending and the free trade agreement with Latin America. Most farmers remained peaceful, and clashes were brief.

The European Union–Mercosur trade agreement is a long‑negotiated pact aimed at removing tariffs and other barriers on most goods between the EU and the Mercosur bloc of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay to boost trade and investment across a market that spans about 780 million people. 

Mercosur (Southern Common Market) is a South American economic and political trade bloc created in 1991 to promote regional integration, free trade and a customs union among member states, including Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. 

Under the deal, tariffs on around 90% of goods traded would be phased out over several years, giving European exporters easier access to South American markets and vice versa for agricultural products such as beef, sugar, soy and poultry. 

Supporters argue the agreement diversifies EU trade ties and strengthens geopolitical influence, while farmers and critics fear it could expose European agriculture to cheaper imports and unfair competition, particularly where production standards differ. 

Although a political deal has been reached and protections like safeguard mechanisms are being debated, the agreement still requires formal ratification by EU member states and has faced strong resistance from several governments and agricultural groups. 

By Jeyhun Aghazada