France and Germany are advocating for a tougher response from the European Union to U.S. tariff policies, a move aimed at strengthening the EU’s negotiating stance.
Bloomberg reports that French President Emmanuel Macron believes the EU should be ready to retaliate against U.S. tariffs, particularly targeting American technologies and services.
One unnamed source shared with the agency that Paris is keen to ensure the European Union fully utilizes its available tools to protect its interests. Meanwhile, German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck has likened U.S. President Donald Trump’s actions to a “conquest war against Ukraine,” emphasizing that “the scale and determination of the EU’s response must be commensurate.”
“As I understand it, Donald Trump is yielding to pressure and adjusting his statements under pressure, so it is logical that he should feel the pressure. This pressure must be exerted by Germany, Europe, in alliance with other countries, and then we will see who is stronger in this arm-wrestling match,” Habeck added.
On the evening of April 2, President Trump officially launched a “trade” war with numerous countries by imposing tariffs on imports to the U.S., with rates ranging from 10% to 50% depending on the country of origin. EU nations will face a 20% tariff on exports to the United States.
