French President Emmanuel Macron has stated that he hopes he was able to persuade former U.S. President Donald Trump not to impose new tariffs on European imports. Speaking to Trump’s favored TV network, Macron said, “I told him: It’s very important for you not to launch new tariffs.”
Macron’s visit to the White House marked the first trip by a European leader since Trump dramatically changed the U.S. stance on the war in Ukraine. Trump recently accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of being “a dictator without elections” and opened talks with Russia on ending the three-year conflict.
During their meeting in Washington, Macron and Trump sought to demonstrate their close relationship, exchanging compliments, hugs, and jokes. However, their differences remained clear, particularly on how to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war and prevent a transatlantic trade war.
Earlier this month, Trump blank'>floated the idea of imposing 25 percent tariffs on various imports, including from Europe. He also cannot afford to increase defense spending, as Washington has demanded, if they are simultaneously dealing with a trade conflict with the U.S. “How do you want us to increase security and defense expenditure if we are in a trade war?” he asked.
Macron special EU summit next week.













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