For the Minister of the Economy, Éric Lombard, Donald Trump’s flip-flop on customs duties shows that there is a “negotiation space”, but it should not be “screaming,” he said in an interview in Ouest-France this Saturday. He also warned of the risk of an explosion of Chinese exports to Europe.
The announcement Wednesday by Donald Trump of a suspension of customs duties for 90 days “confirms that there is a negotiation space with the Trump administration”, but “we should not scream victory either,” he said.
“Americans maintain the increase in customs duties by 10 % for all European products imported into the United States, not to mention the steel and automotive measures that are maintained. So we are faced with less bad news. This is why Europe must maintain pressure, “he said.
A “surge of products” coming from China?
If it is too early, according to Éric Lombard, to quantify the precise impact of this 10 % increase, “it can be estimated at 0.2 % growth. It was by taking into account this impact that I proposed a lowering of our growth forecast in 2025 to 0.7 % “, Wednesday on TF 1. The Minister recently brought together business leaders to encourage them to” invest in Europe “. “They have an interest in it because it is a stable, democratic and predictable economic zone,” he explained.
In addition, Éric Lombard stresses that France monitors the flows of goods because “there could be the temptation for China to turn to the European market”. “I want us to make any surge of products from China!” “, He added.
Éric Lombard also declares himself “favorable” to the signing of trade agreements, such as that with the South American Bloc of Mercosur, “provided that it is evolved, because it is not acceptable as it is. There are still improvements to it in agricultural and environmental matters ”.