France's Leaders React to Controversial EU-USA Trade Agreement

France has expressed strong reservations regarding the new trade agreement between the EU and the USA, which imposes a 15% tariff on European goods exported to the US. Prime Minister François Bayrou described the deal as a "dark day" and a "defeat" for Europe, reflecting widespread skepticism among French officials about its implications. The agreement, reached on July 27, 2025, between then-President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, aims to avoid a harsher 30% tariff that Trump had threatened to impose if negotiations stalled.

In light of these developments, Economy Minister Éric Lombard and Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noël Barrot have scheduled a critical meeting on July 30 at Bercy, Paris. This meeting will gather representatives from various economic sectors and industry federations to discuss the impact of the new tariffs and strategize for future negotiations. The French government aims to critically evaluate how this agreement affects key industries while also calling for a rebalancing of trade, especially in services where the US maintains an advantage.

Patrick Martin, president of Medef, highlighted concerns over Europe's diminishing economic power in the face of US and Chinese dominance, emphasizing that the EU should not be a variable in American policies. He criticized the agreement as indicative of a broader issue facing Europe. While some officials acknowledge that the agreement could stabilize business prospects temporarily, many remain explicitly critical of it, labeling it as unbalanced and detrimental to European interests.

Political opposition has also voiced sharp criticism of the deal, with opposition leaders condemning it as a failure that necessitates a more assertive European stance in future negotiations. They argue that greater efforts must be made to protect European industries from unfair trade practices.

As the situation unfolds, French officials are preparing to advocate for improved terms in negotiations to safeguard France's economic interests amid this challenging trade landscape.