Customs duties: “strong criticism” in France, but silence from Emmanuel Macron
In the wake of the agreement on US tariffs imposed on the European Union, French political leaders have reacted widely, with the notable exception of President Macron. The foreign press highlights unanimous indignation at Washington's protectionist ambitions, which threaten the European economy.
For months, European entrepreneurs and producers have been trembling in the face of the tariff threats brandished by the unpredictable American president. Since Sunday, July 27, 2025, and the agreement signed between Donald Trump and Ursula von der Leyen , “companies and investors finally know what to expect. And for them, predictability is precious,” writes Portuguese columnist Marta Moitinho Oliveira for Público . But, despite what some see as the end of a grueling geopolitical saga, “echoes of a clearly disgruntled government are reaching us from France,” notes the journalist.
Indeed, in response to the announcement of 15% customs duties imposed on a majority of European products, French Prime Minister François Bayrou made a scathing comment on X, denouncing a “dark day” during which European allies resolved to “submit”. The head of government considered that “the EU had given in to Donald Trump’s threats to increase customs duties even more”, reports The Guardian .
On social media, the Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Laurent Saint-Martin, considered that the conclusion of the agreement was “good news”, although the European Union would have “had an interest in
Courrier International
