Brussels, Belgium - November 13, 2024 Hundreds of farmers gathered in Brussels on Wednesday to protest against a major trade deal between the EU and Mercosur countries, worrying that the influx of cheap products would lead to unfair competition and impact local farmers' livelihoods. The EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement, aiming at removing tariffs on most products traded between the EU and Mercosur countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, is likely to be signed at the upcoming G20 Summit, reports said. While the European Commission claimed that the agreement would benefit both regions and bring more job opportunities, EU farmers fear that cheaper products from Mercosur countries, which are not subject to EU requirements, would flood the European market and create unfair competition. The European Commission promised to set up a fund to support affected farmers, but many protesters remain unconvinced. Negotiations on the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement have been ongoing since 1999, with disagreements persisting. Prime Minister of France Michel Barnier claimed that France will not accept current clauses, while Spain and Germany are more positive towards the agreement, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently calling for sealing the deal faster. Shotlist: Brussels, Belgium - Nov 13, 2024: 1. Headquarters of European Commission; flags of EU; 2. Various of protesters speaking, posting posters; 3. Poster in front of truck, saying "Agriculture! My children dream for it, I, I am dying for it!"; 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Damien Chavel, demonstration organizer: "Signing this type of treaty will even make the situation worse. They need to be paid a decent price for what they're producing. They don't want other types of compensation or others. They want to be paid for what they are doing and have a decent living."; 5. Various of posters saying "Competition feeds cooperation, farmers feed people," "Stop the EU-Mercosur agreement, harmful to farmers, the environment, and social and human rights"; 6. Various of headquarters of European Commission, polices on guard, fences; 7. Various of passengers, traffic, police cars by street. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]