Macron Rallies Europe Against Trump’s Tariff Threats

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday, urged the European Union to take a firm stand in defense of its economic interests after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose 30% tariffs on nearly all EU imports.

Macron’s remarks come amid growing transatlantic trade tensions, prompting calls for unity and strategy within the EU bloc.

The latest threat by Trump, issued on Saturday, has shaken European capitals, as leaders scramble to prevent a full-blown trade confrontation.

In response, the EU has extended a pause on €21 billion worth of retaliatory tariffs until August 1, aligning with the deadline reportedly set by Trump for a new trade deal.

At the same time, the European Commission announced a breakthrough in long-stalled trade talks with Indonesia.

On Sunday, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto unveiled a political agreement to finalize a free trade pact, ending nine years of negotiations.

Diplomats say Indonesia now sees the EU as a more stable and reliable economic partner compared to the increasingly unpredictable U.S.

In recent months, the EU has intensified efforts to expand trade agreements across Asia and South America, especially in light of Washington’s turn toward protectionism.

Talks with India, Thailand, and other emerging economies are now moving forward at a faster pace.

But Macron, speaking via social media, was unequivocal in his message: the EU must be prepared for tough choices.

“It is more than ever up to the Commission to assert the Union’s determination to defend European interests resolutely,” he wrote.

“This includes preparing credible countermeasures using all available instruments, including anti-coercion tools, if no agreement is reached by August 1.”

While Macron’s call for a hardline stance found support in some quarters, other EU leaders struck a more cautious tone.

German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche emphasized the need for diplomacy, saying: “The EU must negotiate with the United States in a pragmatic manner. A reasonable solution must be reached quickly.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, known for her cordial relationship with Trump, echoed similar sentiments.

“A trade war across the Atlantic serves no one.

“We trust that a fair agreement can be reached,” she said.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof called for EU unity and focus, emphasizing the need for a “mutually beneficial” outcome, while Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris urged restraint, warning against any unnecessary escalation.

Still, Macron’s warning highlights growing anxiety within Europe over Trump’s unpredictable economic playbook.

Business leaders, especially in Germany, expressed deep concern.

The Federation of German Industries (BDI) described the looming tariffs as “a wake-up call for industries on both sides of the Atlantic.”

Germany’s powerful automotive sector is especially vulnerable.

Already facing a 25% tariff on exports to the U.S.—on top of the standard 2.5%—carmakers are bracing for further shocks.

The country’s steel industry, too, is feeling the heat, with existing duties already at 50%.

An insider revealed that a draft agreement previously on Trump’s desk had included some relief for European manufacturers operating in the U.S.

These include big names like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen, and Sweden’s Volvo.

Yet Sweden’s finance minister dismissed the deal as “really bad,” admitting that while some economic pain may be inevitable, capitulation should not be an option.

The EU’s trade relationship with the U.S. is significant, worth over €1.4 trillion annually.

However, only a few EU countries—namely Germany, Italy, and Ireland, have trade surpluses with the U.S., due in part to their strong automotive and pharmaceutical exports.

European Parliament members have warned that yielding to Trump’s aggressive tactics could set a dangerous precedent.

Italian MEP Brando Benifei stressed that the EU must not appear weak: “This is about proving that the Union is neither a victim nor paralyzed by fear.”

As tensions rise, EU ambassadors met in Brussels to coordinate strategy ahead of a crucial trade ministers’ summit.

Von der Leyen, while highlighting the Indonesia deal as a “milestone,” underscored that the bloc would continue to prepare countermeasures and strengthen its internal market.

What remains to be seen is whether the EU can maintain a united front and avoid further economic damage in an increasingly unstable global trade environment.

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