French Prime Minister François Bayrou has expressed strong disapproval of the trade agreement that President Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reached, labeling it a “submission” from the European Union.
“It’s disheartening when a coalition of free nations stands to affirm their values, yet bends to pressure,” Bayrou remarked on a social platform early Monday.
The agreement imposes a 15% tariff on European imports, including cars. Although this is less than the 30% tariff Trump had previously threatened, it’s still higher than what some European officials had hoped for, especially following years of enjoying low tariffs for most exports to the US.
Additionally, the EU has committed to purchasing $750 billion in energy from the US, along with increasing investments by over $600 billion in various sectors.
While French President Emmanuel Macron has not yet publicly addressed the deal, other officials have echoed Bayrou’s sentiments, criticizing its lack of balance.
Benjamin Haddad, France’s Deputy Minister of European Affairs, emphasized the need for Europeans to “strive for a fair trade relationship with the United States,” proposing the introduction of measures to either tax US digital services or exclude them from trade agreements.
“This situation is not just unsatisfactory; it’s untenable. The free trade that has benefited both sides of the Atlantic since World War II is being rejected by the US. This represents a fundamental shift that ignores the rules of the WTO,” he noted in a post.
“It presents both economic and political challenges. Thinking that concessions will solve it only invites exploitation from abroad and fosters discontent among our citizens,” he added.
Laurent Saint-Martin, representative for foreign trade and citizens living abroad, remarked in a recent radio interview, “The agreement itself is a positive step. It gives us stability in transatlantic trade relations.” Yet, he acknowledged, “This contract is imbalanced, and efforts must continue.”
“Trump has been vocal about wanting to recalibrate trade relations to address US grievances, but thus far, he’s focused primarily on goods, showing reluctance concerning services,” he concluded.
