French President Emmanuel Macron has strongly criticized the recent decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to impose 30% tariffs on European Union goods starting August 1. Macron called on the European Commission to take swift and decisive action to protect European interests.
In a post on social media platform X, Macron expressed France’s “strong disapproval” of the tariffs and emphasized the need for the EU to defend itself. He urged the European Commission to prepare credible countermeasures using all available tools if no agreement is reached before the deadline.
Along with the President of the European Commission, France shares the same very strong disapproval at the announcement of horizontal 30% tariffs on EU exports to the United States from August 1st.
This announcement comes after weeks of intense engagement by the Commission in…
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 12, 2025
“The European Union has been negotiating with Washington in good faith for several weeks based on a firm and honest proposal,” Macron stated, adding that “now more than ever, it is up to the Commission to reaffirm the Union’s commitment to defending European interests.”
Macron confirmed that France fully supports the Commission in seeking a mutually acceptable solution by August 1—one that reflects the respect that trade partners like the EU and the U.S. should have for one another, as well as for their shared economic ties.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also condemned the tariffs, reiterating the EU’s ongoing desire for a trade agreement with the United States.
President Trump defended his decision by citing the trade imbalance between the U.S. and the EU. In 2024, the U.S. recorded a trade deficit of $236 billion with the EU—a 13% increase from the previous year. The EU exported $606 billion worth of goods to the U.S., according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
Trump’s new tariffs also extend to Mexico, further escalating ongoing trade tensions.
