Intense clashes are ongoing in Brussels with farmers setting fires, lighting smoke bombs and throwing objects at police forces. The serious incidents erupted shortly before noon on Thursday (18/12) outside the European Parliament building, with authorities responding with tear gas, while farmers also caused damage in Place du Luxembourg square. Meanwhile, Avenue des Arts and Rue du Luxembourg have been blocked by tractors.
Read: Brussels: Clashes and tear gas at farmers’ demonstration (Video)
Farmer blockade in Brussels: Protesting against EU-Mercosur agreement
It should be noted that thousands of farmers gathered in the Belgian capital to protest against the EU-Mercosur agreement. As they say, they are concerned about the prospect of products flowing from South America into the EU and about agricultural subsidy reforms. The EU-Mercosur agreement will create the world’s largest free trade zone and will help the EU export more goods such as vehicles, machinery, wines and spirits to Latin America.
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However, farmers argue that it will also facilitate the entry into Europe of beef, sugar, rice, honey and soybeans produced by their counterparts in South America.
Farmers: How they caught Belgian authorities off guard
The farmer blockades in Brussels began shortly before midnight on Wednesday (17/12), when more than 100 tractors blocked Rue de la Loi avenue, in front of the European Commission buildings. Thus, the farmers surprised the authorities, as their arrival was expected for the morning hours of Thursday, according to Belgian media reports. Instead, shortly after 23:00 (local time), a convoy of more than 100 tractors crossed Rue de la Loi, the central road axis that passes in front of the Commission and European Council buildings.
European farmers hold large-scale protest in Brussels https://t.co/Y2LtD7K7lg
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 18, 2025
Traffic on Rue de la Loi was disrupted, with the road essentially “cut” in two, while police authorities proceeded with extensive diversions in an attempt to limit the presence of tractors and decongest the area. According to information, part of the farmers had Luxembourg Square as their meeting point. Strong police forces were deployed at the location, with the assistance of helicopters and drones, in order to prevent further escalation and maintain control around the European institutional buildings.
