France is pushing the European Commission to take a tougher stance against Washington in transatlantic trade talks, warning that the EU must be ready to act if U.S. President Donald Trump refuses to ease tariffs ahead of the August 1 deadline.
The French government is urging Brussels to adopt a firmer negotiating position in its ongoing trade talks with the United States, warning that failure to do so could undermine Europe’s credibility and economic interests.
A French official involved in trade policy said negotiators must “make it clear that we’re ready to press the red button” if no deal is reached with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has threatened to impose 30% tariffs on all EU goods—triple the current 10% rate—if talks fail by August 1.
Paris believes the European Commission should stop treating Washington as a benign ally, given that the trade war was reignited by Trump’s return to power earlier this year. “We’re dealing with an ally who is raising tensions in a trade war it started,” another French official said.
The warning comes as French President Emmanuel Macron prepares to meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Wednesday. While Berlin favours quick concessions to shield Germany’s export-heavy economy, France is holding out for a deal that protects long-term European interests.
“France wants the Commission’s negotiating method to evolve,” the French economy ministry said. “The goal should not be to reach an agreement at any price.”
French Industry Minister Marc Ferracci is due to meet industry leaders on Tuesday and will urge stronger EU resistance in talks with his German and Italian counterparts later this week.
Meanwhile, Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin has advocated using the EU’s Anti-Coercion Instrument and hinted at broader retaliatory measures against U.S. services, though some member states remain wary of escalation.
EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, who visited Washington last week for his fourth round of talks since February, told EU diplomats on Friday that while a deal had not yet been struck, negotiations were ongoing.
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