France fears a “unsustainable” situation in the main export channels to the United States such as wine or cosmetics, threatened with 50% customs surcharge by Donald Trump due to lack of advances in commercial negotiations with the European Union.
“For some of our sectors, such as wines and spirits, cosmetics, aeronautics and all of export success, this would lead to an absolutely unsustainable long-term situation,” said Delegate Minister of Foreign Trade, Laurent Saint-Martin, in an interview in the newspaper La Tribune on Sunday. “Therefore, it is not a desirable result,” added the minister in reference to the threat of US President Friday to eliminate the European Union with customs duties of 50% since June 1.
Cars and drinks
French exports to the United States were brought in 2024 per aeronautics (9.1 billion euros, or 18.8%of the total), drinks (4,100 million euros, 8.4%) and pharmaceutical products (3.8 billion euros, 7.9%), according to figures from the French Ministry of Economy. In more general terms, the United States is significantly exported to software and communication services of the European Union, where Europe sells them mainly cars, transport tools and transport equipment.
The European Union works in “Buena Fe” to obtain a commercial agreement with the United States based on “respect” and not on “threats,” said the European Commissioner of Commerce on Friday, Maros Sefcovic, responsible for negotiating the EU.
“Everything is on the table”
In recent months, the EU has been beaten three times by customs duties in the administration of the United States: 25% in steel and aluminum, announced in mid -March, 25% in cars, then 20% in all other European products, in April. This last surcharge was suspended until July to start the negotiation. But the customs duties of 10% remain applied to most of the goods exported to the United States by the twenty -seven.
“Everything is on the table” in terms of potential European response to Donald Trump, said Laurent Saint-Martin. “Not everyone shared the same opinion on the levels of response that will be provided. There are nuances that depend on vulnerabilities, sensibilities, the relationship with the sectors of each Member State,” he said too.
Source: BFM TV
