Paris – French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Laurent Saint-Martin, expressed on X on Friday that “the renewed threat of increased tariffs from D. Trump is counterproductive during the ongoing negotiations between the European Union and the United States. We are committed to de-escalation, but we are prepared to take action if necessary.”
On Friday, Donald Trump intensified his focus on global trade, warning the EU of potential new tariffs and, for the first time, targeting Apple by encouraging the tech giant to shift its iPhone production to the United States. This marks a resurgence of his protectionist stance following a few weeks of relative quiet since his return to the White House.
Trump’s statements on his Truth Social platform prompted immediate declines in European stock markets, particularly affecting luxury goods and automotive shares in Paris, while also influencing the opening of Wall Street.
In his remarks, the American president expressed frustration over the stagnation of trade negotiations with the EU, stating that they “are going nowhere.”
The European Commission opted not to provide a comment on the situation. (May 23, 2025)
Leave a Reply