Trump's tariffs: Emmanuel Macron expresses his "strong disapproval" and calls on the EU to defend its interests

The French President notably called on the European Commission to "accelerate the preparation of credible countermeasures, by mobilizing all the instruments at its disposal," "if no agreement is reached by August 1."

Arguing that the EU had been negotiating with Washington for several weeks "on the basis of a solid and good faith offer" , Mr Macron said that it was " more than ever up to the Commission to affirm the Union's determination to resolutely defend European interests".

"France fully supports the European Commission in the negotiations, which will intensify, to reach a mutually acceptable agreement by August 1, so that it reflects the respect that trading partners like the European Union and the United States owe each other, for shared interests and integrated value chains," the head of state wrote.

The Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Laurent Saint-Martin, has put on the table the possibility of a "proportionate response" , particularly on American goods and services, if Brussels does not reach a "fair agreement" with Washington.

"From Monday in Brussels with my 26 counterparts, I will be working to support the Commission in its negotiations with the United States until August 1," he added on X.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, criticizing the new tariffs announced by Donald Trump, said the EU still wanted to reach a trade agreement with Washington.

The US president, who also announced 30% customs duties on Mexico, justified his decision by the trade imbalance between his country and the EU.

In 2024, the United States posted a trade deficit of $236 billion (€202 billion) with the Union (+13% year-on-year), which exported $606 billion worth of goods to the territory of the world's largest economy, according to figures from the Office of the United States Trade Representative.