Macron criticizes EU–US tariff deal, vows to demand exemptions
Photo: French President Emmanuel Macron (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
French President Emmanuel Macron has responded for the first time to the tariff agreement between the United States and the European Union. However, he expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome, according to Le Monde.
"To be free, we must be feared. We are not feared enough," French President Emmanuel Macron said during a ministerial meeting dedicated to the EU–US trade agreement.
Macron emphasized that France has always taken a "firm and demanding stance" and would continue to do so in future negotiations. He believes the EU can still secure additional exemptions during the formalization of the deal.
The French president also called for efforts to rebalance trade, particularly in the services sector.
According to participants of the meeting, Macron acknowledged that the talks between the EU and the US were held under difficult conditions. He noted that the strength of the deal lies in the short-term visibility and predictability it offers.
Macron welcomed the fact that the EU did not make concessions in the agricultural sector and that public health and environmental standards remained intact.
EU-US tariff deal
Earlier this week, following tense negotiations, the EU and the United States finalized a long-anticipated tariff agreement.
The deal was reached on July 27, when US President Donald Trump, after talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, announced a 15% general tariff on imports from all 27 EU member states.
Von der Leyen admitted the negotiations with Trump had been challenging but said the agreement would bring stability and predictability.
More on whether Trump’s new EU deal could impact or benefit Ukraine can be found in the full RBC-Ukraine analysis.
