French call for European unity
In a new escalation of transatlantic trade tensions, French Foreign Trade Minister Nicolas Fursier called on the European Union to adopt a “united and firm response” to the new tariffs announced by former US President Donald Trump. Fursier stressed in a press statement that “a unified approach by the EU will be essential” to protect the bloc’s economic interests and send a clear message to Washington that unilateral actions are unacceptable.
This call comes in the wake of Trump signing an executive order imposing a 10% tariff on a wide range of imports, with the threat of raising it to 15%. This decision targets all of the United States' trading partners, threatening to ignite a new global trade war.
Historical background of the trade dispute
This American move was not entirely unexpected; rather, it was an extension of the Trump administration's "America First" policy, which saw the imposition of steep tariffs in 2018 on steel and aluminum imports from close allies, including the European Union, under the pretext of protecting US national security. At the time, the EU retaliated with tariffs on popular American goods such as Harley-Davidson motorcycles and certain agricultural products, creating a cycle of tit-for-tat measures.
Trump based his latest decision on emergency economic powers, which sparked a domestic legal controversy in the United States, where the Supreme Court considered that the president had exceeded his powers, prompting Trump to respond with these new tariffs, which he described as “reciprocal.”.
Importance and expected effects
France's call for action carries particular weight given that it comes from one of the EU's largest economies, which will be directly affected by these tariffs, especially in vital sectors such as aviation, luxury goods, and agricultural products. Any division in the European position will weaken the EU's negotiating power and give Washington an opportunity to deal with each country individually, thus undermining the principle of the single market.
Regionally, this decision represents a true test of the unity and solidarity of the European Union. Member states have varying levels of trade with the United States, and their interests may differ in determining the nature of the response. However, reaching a common position will strengthen the EU's standing as a global economic power capable of defending its interests.
Internationally, this escalation threatens to deepen uncertainty in the global economy, potentially slowing growth and disrupting global supply chains. It also undermines the rules-based global trading system of the World Trade Organization and pushes toward greater trade protectionism, which serves no one's long-term interests.
Next European steps
The French Ministry of Trade confirmed that it is in “close contact with the European Commission and member states to analyze the decision and assess its consequences.” Brussels is currently considering all available options, including filing a new complaint with the World Trade Organization and preparing a list of American products that could be targeted with retaliatory measures if diplomatic efforts fail to dissuade Washington from its decision.
