US-EU Trade Tensions: Macron Urges Trump to Prioritize China
French President Emmanuel Macron has advised U.S. President Donald Trump to focus on containing China instead of pressuring the European Union, which he considers an American ally. Macron warned that Europe would retaliate if the U.S. imposes tariffs on EU goods.
In early February, Trump threatened to slap tariffs on the EU due to perceived unfair trading practices and a large trade deficit with the bloc. However, in a Sunday interview with CNN, Macron responded by saying, “Is the EU your first problem? No, I do not think so. Your first problem is China.”
Macron argued that Europe is an ally of the U.S. and should be engaged in areas like investment, security, and defense instead of being targeted with tariffs. He believes such actions could hurt European economies and ultimately damage U.S. interests.
The French president also pointed out that waging a trade war against the EU shouldn’t be among Washington’s top priorities, given other pressing international issues like the situation in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as competition between the U.S. and China.
Macron cautioned that imposing tariffs on many sectors could increase costs and create inflation in the U.S., which might not be beneficial for American citizens. When asked if he was ready to challenge Trump on tariffs, Macron replied, “I already did so and I will do it again.”
On Monday, Trump announced new 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports into the U.S., affecting countries worldwide. Earlier this month, he had imposed similar duties on Canada, Mexico, and China, citing concerns over illegal immigration and drug trafficking.