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.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over t...
One person has been killed and six others injured after an explosion at a petroleum storage facility at the Port of Rotterdam, prompting an investi...
The suspension of two major grain terminals in Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk could increase pressure on Kazakhstan’s agricult...
Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has increased the strategic importance of Bab al-Mandab, raising fears that instability in both waterways could trigger a wider global energy and trade crisis.
Flights at Catania airport in Sicily will remain suspended until early Friday as ash from Mount Etna continues to disrupt air travel, following hundreds of cancellations and diversions over the past week.
Iran and the United States remain at loggerheads over efforts to agree a permanent end to the war in the Gulf, according to a senior Iranian source who said there had been no progress in talks to revive the interim deal agreed in June and define a timeframe to implement it.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over the strategic waterway and insisting it will not reopen until Washington fulfils its commitments under an interim deal.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 12th of August, covering the latest developments.
One person has been killed and six others injured after an explosion at a petroleum storage facility at the Port of Rotterdam, prompting an investigation into the cause.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas met Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday for talks focused on Gaza, Palestinian statehood and regional security.
Taiwan staged military defence drills on Wednesday as China concluded joint naval exercises with Indonesia in waters east of the island.
Washington’s counter-narcotics push is expanding as Colombia’s new conservative government backs deeper security cooperation.
Meta said it had removed more than 750,000 Facebook and Instagram accounts suspected of belonging to Australians under 16, as the country’s internet regulator weighs enforcement action over its teen social media ban.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment