“It is very important for professionals.”

From Bercy, the Minister of the Economy Éric Lombard asks this Wednesday, July 30, that “exemptions” of US customs tasks are clarified.

Among the exemptions, the minister delegated by foreign trade Laurent Saint-Martin indicates that France “pushes” so that wines and spirits are part of the exemptions, “in addition to aeronautics.” “We must protect certain industries,” says Iric Lombard.

France “assumes the balance of power”

In the absence of a final agreement on alcohol and wine, a decision has been sent to new discussions, according to Ursula von der Leyen. “This is something that must be resolved in the next few days,” he said. The Office of the Ministry of Economy indicates that ministers Éric Lombard and Laurent Saint-Martin will meet with the European Commission next week. The Minister of Agriculture, Annie Ginevard, also shared “the concern” of the sectors, due to the “uncertainties that loom and deserve to be clarified.”

Éric Lombard “does not believe we would have obtained a better agreement”, remembering that “the French line has not varied.” “We assume the balance of power with friendly countries,” continued the Minister of the Economy after the meeting in Bercy has gathered eight ministers.

The European Union and the United States have sealed a commercial agreement, considered “unbalanced” by France. This provides customs tariffs on all European imports to the United States, at a single rate of 15%, including all existing taxes. The agreement also establishes purchases of American hydrocarbons (natural gas and oil) and nuclear fuels worth $ 750 billion for three years, or 250 billion per year.

With respect to the exemptions mentioned by Laurent Saint-Martin and Éric Lombard, the president of the European Commission said there would be no customs rights in “strategic sectors” such as aeronautics “, certain chemical products, certain agricultural products” or “certain strategic raw materials.”

Bercy also announced the establishment of a site to share with economic players “information on US commercial measures (…) that have a direct impact on the European Union trade.”