Traffic in the Belgian capital was disrupted on Thursday by a new farmer uprising coinciding with an EU summit set to discuss the controversial trade agreement between the Union and South American countries.

The farmers began gathering at 9 am. Hundreds of tractors then clogged the streets of Brussels during the protests against the agreement they claim will destroy their livelihoods. Up to 10,000 demonstrators are expected to take part in the protests.

Outside the summit, farmers threw potatoes and eggs at the police, set off fireworks and firecrackers, and blocked traffic. Authorities responded with tear gas and water cannons, set up roadblocks, and closed tunnels around the city.

READ ALSO: Ten thousand farmers expected in Brussels – protesting EU agricultural policy

One tractor displayed a sign reading: “Why import sugar from the other side of the world when we produce the best here?”

– We are here to say no to Mercosur [Southern Common Market], said Belgian dairy farmer Maxime Mabille, accusing the EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of trying to force the agreement through as if “Europe has become a dictatorship.”

Cheaper Goods of Lower Quality

The farmers fear that Europe will be flooded with cheaper South American goods – things like beef, sugar, rice, honey, and soybeans from South American competitors facing less strict regulations, especially regarding pesticides that are banned in the EU.

Prior to the demonstration, police closed several roads to traffic. Disruptions are expected in the streets around the EU quarter until at least late afternoon. Public transport in Brussels has also been affected throughout the day.

– We have been protesting since 2024 in France, Belgium, and elsewhere, said Florian Poncelet from the Belgian agricultural union FJA.

– We would finally like to be listened to.

French-Italian Opposition

Among EU countries, France and Italy are leading the opposition to the agreement, and President Emmanuel Macron has said they are not ready and that the agreement cannot be signed in its current form. France has coordinated with Poland, Belgium, Austria, and Ireland to force a postponement, which gives critics enough votes in the European Council to potentially block the pact.

On the other side, Germany and Spain are pushing hard for approval. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warns that decisions must be made now if the EU wants to “remain credible in :censored:6:cdd6bbaa89: trade policy,” while Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez claims the agreement would give Europe “geoeconomic and geopolitical weight” against opponents.

The World’s Largest Free Trade Area

The agreement has taken 25 years to negotiate and would create the world’s largest free trade area, with 780 million people and one quarter of the :censored:6:cdd6bbaa89: gross domestic product (GDP).

Ursula von der Leyen says she is determined to travel to Brazil this weekend to sign the agreement, but she needs support from at least two thirds of EU countries.

The EU summit concludes on Friday.

READ ALSO: VIDEO: Farmers in mass protest – blocking traffic