French president voices ‘strong disapproval’ of 30% US tariffs for EU, calls for ‘countermeasures’
ISTANBUL
French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday voiced “strong disapproval” of 30% US tariffs for EU and called for accelerating the preparation of “credible countermeasures.”
“Along with the President of the European Commission, France shares the same very strong disapproval at the announcement of horizontal 30% tariffs on EU exports to the United States from August 1st,” Macron wrote on X.
He reiterated the need for the Commission to “assert” the bloc’s “determination” to uphold European interests “resolutely.”
“In particular, this implies speeding up the preparation of credible countermeasures, by mobilising all the instruments at its disposal, including anti-coercion, if no agreement is reached by August 1st,” Macron noted.
He further expressed France’s “full support” to the negotiations that “will intensify” to reach a mutually acceptable agreement by Aug. 1, “reflecting the respect that trading partners like the European Union and the United States owe each other, with their shared interests and integrated value chains.”
Earlier, Trump announced that the US will impose 30% tariffs on the EU and Mexico starting Aug. 1, putting US-EU trade talks at risk, as the bloc had aimed to finalize a comprehensive trade deal this month.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump shared separate letters addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, announcing a 30% tariff on goods bound for the US from Europe and Mexico.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen then voiced readiness to work toward an agreement with the US by Aug. 1 and vowed to take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures.
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