The BMW driver spotted some potatoes and remarked, Challenge Accepted | Carscoops

      A BMW 4-Series faced an unexpected hurdle on a street in Brussels when a potato-covered intersection halted its progress amid extensive farmer protests across Europe.

      Protesters filled a Brussels intersection with loose potatoes, and a BMW driver got stuck after sliding over the slippery surface. Farmers are protesting against a significant EU trade agreement with South America.

      Most drivers wouldn’t anticipate that a mound of potatoes would interrupt their day, but that’s precisely what transpired in Brussels last week. In the midst of widespread European farmer protests, one BMW driver discovered the hard way that some surfaces are more suitable for tractors.

      A video shared on social media, which garnered attention from Road&Track, depicts the black BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe entering an intersection covered in potatoes by local protesters.

      Clearly, the driver underestimated the protest and attempted to drive straight through, likely now wishing they had opted for the xDrive model.

      For the initial few meters, the BMW glided through the potato patch without issue, although the front wheels immediately began to skid. Moments later, the vehicle came to a halt.

      The footage captures the driver attempting, unsuccessfully, to put the car in reverse and drive away from the slick surface, without success. It remains uncertain what occurred after the video ended and whether the 4-Series was rescued.

      What Are the Protests About?

      Protests erupted across Europe throughout December as officials in the European Union and South American nations moved closer to finalizing a significant free-trade agreement.

      The EU-Mercosur deal, involving Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia, aims to eliminate tariffs on nearly all goods traded between the two regions. This possibility has sparked strong opposition from European farmers who fear being undercut by cheaper imports.

      Originally set to be signed the weekend before Christmas, the agreement's signing was postponed following widespread demonstrations that prompted EU leaders to reconsider the timing. It is now expected to occur in January.

      One of the EU's most influential leaders, French President Emmanuel Macron, is advocating for further discussions and more concessions before any agreement is signed in January, pointing out that farmers “already face an enormous amount of challenges,” according to PBS.