As the ink was drying on one of the world’s biggest trade deals, signed in Uruguay this month, and hailed as a milestone for the global economy, anger was brewing thousands of miles away in France.
Under the agreement between the EU on one hand, and Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay on the other, tariffs will be greatly reduced and the amounts of imports and exports allowed will be increased.
The deal would affect almost 800 million people.
It comes as a marked contrast to Donald Trump’s plans to greatly increase protectionism when he returns to the White House next month.
The deal still needs to be approved by the 27 EU member states, and France is planning to block it, due to fears that it will harm its farming sector.
Alix Heurtault, a 34-year-old French farmer, says she is worried about her future if the planned agreement goes ahead.
“I fear that the deal will mean making ends meet becoming even more difficult for farmers like me,” she says.
As a result, she is crossing her fingers that the French government will be able to stop it.
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