France Accuses Former Colony Algeria, Asks EU to Probe Trade Curbs
France has formally asked the European Commission to investigate Algeria's alleged failure to honor its trade commitments, citing unofficial bans on French goods. Paris says urea and wheat exports are hit, and wants to know whether the EU-Algeria Association Agreement allows countermeasures.
France has formally asked the European Commission to investigate Algeria's alleged failure to honor its trade commitments with the European Union, in a case where France accuses its former colony of quietly restricting French businesses. French authorities say Algeria has imposed widespread unofficial bans on French imports.
French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux said Paris had asked the Commission to examine whether it could take measures against Algeria under the EU-Algeria Association Agreement. The pact allows action when either party fails to meet its obligations.
A French diplomatic source said the decision followed worsening conditions for French companies operating in Algeria. The Treasury Department also met representatives from several industries on November 6 to discuss the reported restrictions, according to two people familiar with the matter.
Urea and wheat hit
Agriculture is among the hardest-hit sectors. Algeria reportedly imposed a near-total ban on French imports in late July and told officials to suspend urea shipments to France.
Those shipments account for about 30% of France's urea imports. The trade flow was worth approximately $219 million in 2025, and French agricultural suppliers are worried about finding alternative sources before the next planting season.
Wheat is also affected. No official ban exists, but French wheat has been consistently excluded from Algerian tenders since July 2024. Algeria was once France's biggest overseas wheat buyer.
The European Commission had already registered a complaint in June 2025 over alleged Algerian restrictions on French agricultural and food products, particularly dairy. French exporters have struggled to obtain sanitary import authorizations, and Brussels has questioned the lack of clear approval deadlines.
Colonial history and recent tension
The dispute unfolds against deteriorating diplomatic relations. France ruled Algeria for 132 years, after invading in 1830. It also conducted nuclear tests in the Sahara during the colonial period, leaving radioactive contamination that Algeria continues to demand Paris help address.
Tensions intensified in 2024 after French President Emmanuel Macron backed Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara. Algeria supports the independence-seeking Polisario Front in the disputed territory.
Both countries later signaled efforts to normalize relations. The latest trade confrontation suggests their differences remain unresolved.
The EU-Algeria Association Agreement was signed in 2002 and took effect in 2005. It was designed to strengthen trade, investment and economic cooperation.
