France’s president says EU-US deal ‘not the end of it’

PARIS: France’s President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday the European Union had not been “feared” enough in negotiations with the United States towards a trade deal, pledging to be “firm” in follow-up talks.

“It’s not the end of it,” Macron told ministers during a cabinet meeting, according to participants.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen clinched the framework accord with US President Donald Trump on Sunday after dashing to Scotland as the August 1 deadline loomed for steep levies that threatened to cripple Europe’s economy.

EU exports are now set to face tariffs of 15 percent on most products — higher than customs duties before Trump returned to the White House, but much lower than his threatened 30 percent.

“Europe does not see itself enough as a power yet. To be free, you have to be feared. We were not feared enough,” said Macron.

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“France has always held a stance of being firm and demanding. It will continue to do so,” he added.

The European Union could obtain “new exemptions” in follow-up talks to firm up the deal in details, he said.

He however said that negotiations had been held in “difficult circumstances” and that the deal at least “offered visibility and predictability” in the short term.

“It preserved French and European interests” in important exporting sectors including aviation, he added.