French PM Criticizes EU for Trade Deal with U.S.
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou expressed strong disapproval on Monday regarding the European Union’s approach to negotiations with the United States, particularly under President Donald Trump’s influence.
Bayrou’s remarks align with a growing chorus of French political leaders, including right-wing national rally leader Marine Le Pen, who have criticized the EU for yielding to Trump’s demands. On X, he stated that the agreement struck between Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen— which established 15% tariffs on EU imports to the U.S. and included a commitment from Europe to purchase significant amounts of American military equipment and energy—represents a troubling submission. Bayrou noted that Trump had threatened a 30% tariff if a deal wasn’t reached.
“It’s a dark day when the Alliance of Free People unites to assert their values, defends their interests, and resigns to submission,” Bayrou stated on X. This assertion reflects a broader sentiment of unease among many regarding the implications of the deal.
Le Pen, who had once praised Trump, described the agreement as a “political, economic and moral fiasco.” Meanwhile, others in Bayrou’s government, like French Minister of Trade Laurent Saint-Martin, have argued that this agreement signals that “we accept that Europe is not an economic force.”
Additional European leaders, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, were caught up in the deal’s repercussions, suggesting that Trump effectively outmaneuvered the EU during the negotiations.
In Orban’s words, “It wasn’t a contract that President Donald Trump made with Ursula von der Leyen. That was Donald Trump eating Ursula von der Leyen for breakfast.” This comment, made in his podcast “Warrior’s Time,” underscores concerns that Trump’s tactics may have overshadowed EU negotiating power.
Trump’s administration has prioritized restructuring global trade and has implemented significant tariffs during his tenure, drawing various global entities, including the EU, to the negotiation table.
The French Embassy in the U.S. has not yet commented on the situation.
