French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has issued a strong warning to the United States regarding the potential for a trade war, emphasizing that the European Union would retaliate against any tariffs imposed by Washington. Barrot’s comments followed US President Donald Trump’s announcement that the US would impose a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports.
In an interview with TF1, Barrot confirmed that the EU would replicate any US tariffs, recalling the EU’s response to similar actions taken by Trump during his first term in 2018. He made it clear that the European Commission would decide which sectors to target for retaliation.
Barrot stressed that no one, including the US, has an interest in entering into a trade war with the EU. French President Emmanuel Macron also weighed in on the matter, telling CNN that the US should prioritize addressing issues with China over escalating tensions with the EU. He underscored the need for the EU to be prepared to respond to the US’s actions, despite concerns of a global trade war.
