France demands strong EU response to the U.S.: trade countermeasures possible
Paris is urging the European Union to apply its anti-coercion mechanism against the United States for the first time if Donald Trump enacts new unfair tariffs starting April 2.
Photo: aitac, Unsplash
France has called on the European Union to consider using its anti-coercion instrument against the U.S.—the bloc’s most severe economic response tool. This was reported by sources cited by Bloomberg familiar with the matter.
The initiative follows statements by Donald Trump about plans to introduce sweeping tariffs on April 2 targeting EU economic policies, including tax and regulatory standards.
Although the European Commission is not currently pursuing this tool, France, along with several other nations, insists it should be on the table.
The anti-coercion mechanism was created to protect the EU from external pressure and allows for sanctions affecting trade, investment, and intellectual property rights.
The EU had previously announced retaliatory tariffs totaling $28 billion in response to U.S. duties on steel and aluminum. Brussels has yet to finalize its reaction, awaiting more details from Washington.
At the same time, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has failed to establish direct contact with Trump, who has accused the EU of economically harming the United States.
Earlier, the European Union and Canada announced reciprocal tariffs totaling $29.8 billion and €26 billion in response to the U.S. decision to impose 25% duties on steel and aluminum imports.
Back in February, aiming to prevent further escalation of trade disputes, the EU initiated talks with the U.S., proposing to discuss a possible reduction in the 10% car import tariff as part of a broader cooperation agreement.