French Farmers' Protests Escalate Against EU Trade Deals

French farming unions are protesting against EU free-trade agreements, claiming they lead to unfair competition from overseas products and undermine their livelihoods. They fear an influx of Chilean apples, Brazilian grains, and Canadian beef flooding the European market, posing challenges to their sustainability efforts. The EU has signed various free-trade agreements, with the Mercosur deal causing the most concern due to potential impacts on agriculture. While some sectors benefit from these agreements, others, like livestock farming, face challenges. The agreements also serve as bargaining chips for strategic minerals and industrial sectors, prompting ongoing debates and negotiations.