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EU ‘not feared enough’ – Macron | EU ‘not feared enough’ – Macron |
(about 16 hours later) | |
The French president has criticized the bloc’s recent trade deal with the US | |
The EU was not “feared enough” during negotiations with the US on the newly-signed trade agreement between the two, French President Emmanuel Macron has said, according to Euractiv. | |
The agreement, concluded on Sunday during talks between US President Donald Trump and European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen sets a 15% tariff on the majority of EU exports to the US. Brussels also committed to investing $600 billion in the US economy and buying $750 billion in American energy over the next three years. The US, however, will not face any EU tariffs on its exports. | |
“To be free, you have to be feared, and we haven’t been feared enough,” Macron told the Council of Ministers in Paris on Wednesday, according to two attendees present during the meeting. | “To be free, you have to be feared, and we haven’t been feared enough,” Macron told the Council of Ministers in Paris on Wednesday, according to two attendees present during the meeting. |
Macron reportedly expressed regret that the EU “does not yet see itself sufficiently as a power.” He urged Brussels to “work tirelessly” to rebalance its relationship with Washington. | Macron reportedly expressed regret that the EU “does not yet see itself sufficiently as a power.” He urged Brussels to “work tirelessly” to rebalance its relationship with Washington. |
The French president also called for an acceleration of the “European agenda on sovereignty and competitiveness,” in what some have interpreted as a veiled critique of von der Leyen’s leadership and priorities, Euractiv reported. | The French president also called for an acceleration of the “European agenda on sovereignty and competitiveness,” in what some have interpreted as a veiled critique of von der Leyen’s leadership and priorities, Euractiv reported. |
“France has always maintained a firm and demanding stance. This is not the end of the story, the negotiation has to continue,” Macron added. | “France has always maintained a firm and demanding stance. This is not the end of the story, the negotiation has to continue,” Macron added. |
Government spokesperson Sophie Primas later confirmed at a press conference that Macron welcomed elements of the deal, particularly the increased visibility it offers to French businesses. However, she emphasized that the president considered the agreement “incomplete.” | Government spokesperson Sophie Primas later confirmed at a press conference that Macron welcomed elements of the deal, particularly the increased visibility it offers to French businesses. However, she emphasized that the president considered the agreement “incomplete.” |
Criticism of the deal has continued to mount within the French government. Prime Minister Francois Bayrou described it as a “submission” on Monday, while several ministers have questioned both its content and the process behind it. | Criticism of the deal has continued to mount within the French government. Prime Minister Francois Bayrou described it as a “submission” on Monday, while several ministers have questioned both its content and the process behind it. |
“We would have preferred that these negotiations take place in an official setting and not in a private golf course in Scotland,” Primas said, calling the location “unusual.” | “We would have preferred that these negotiations take place in an official setting and not in a private golf course in Scotland,” Primas said, calling the location “unusual.” |
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