Macron says France opposed to EU forcing through Mercosur deal: govt spokeswoman

President Emmanuel Macron Wednesday told a cabinet meeting France would "firmly oppose" the European Union forcing through a trade deal with South American bloc Mercosur, a government spokeswoman said.

"France would firmly oppose" any "desire from European authorities to force through" the so-called Mercosur deal, spokeswoman Maud Bregeon said.

The European Commission, backed by Europe's largest economy, Germany, aims to win support from EU member states by year-end.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen is planning to go to Brazil on Saturday to sign the agreement, which has been 20 years in the making and would create the world's biggest free-trade area.

But Paris has said the deal does not add up for France, demanding robust safeguard clauses, tighter import controls and more stringent standards for Mercosur producers.

Macron told ministers there was not yet "sufficient visibility" on conditions requested by France, Bregeon said.

The deal would allow the EU to export more vehicles, machinery, wines and spirits to Latin America, while facilitating the entry of South American beef, sugar, rice, honey and soybeans into Europe.

French farmers fear the accord will flood the market with cheap products that will outcompete them.