France strongly criticizes US-EU trade deal, calling it 'surrender'

Despite being expected to help avoid a major trade war, the US-EU tariff deal has caused controversy in France, with many politicians saying Brussels has "surrendered" to pressure from Washington.

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou - Photo: REUTERS

AFP news agency reported on July 28 that French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou strongly criticized the trade agreement just reached between the US and the European Union (EU), calling it a "dark day" and an act of "submission" by Europe to the US.

Accordingly, the agreement announced by President Trump and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen on July 27 stipulates a basic tax rate of 15% for exports from the EU to the US. Notably, Washington's goods are not subject to any retaliatory measures from Europe.

"It is a dark day when the alliance of free nations chooses submission," Mr. Bayrou wrote on the social network X.

Mr Bayrou's remarks reflect the tough stance France has taken over the past several months, calling on the EU to respond with proportionate measures if the US imposes tariffs.

However, the more conciliatory approach of Germany and Italy, two countries with larger exports to the US than France, has prevailed within the EU, according to Reuters.

While European and Asian stock markets rallied on hopes the deal would help avoid a trade war, criticism in France mounted.

French President Emmanuel Macron has remained silent since the deal was signed, while many politicians have expressed discontent.

"Ursula von der Leyen has accepted Europe's surrender on trade, causing damage to our exporters, farmers and industry," Jordan Bardella, chairman of the National Rally (RN) party, told X.

Marine Le Pen, an ally of Mr Bardella and a three-time presidential candidate, also called the deal a “political, economic and moral disaster”.

Pieyre-Alexandre Anglade, chairman of the French National Assembly's European Affairs Committee and an ally of French President Emmanuel Macron, called the deal "a failure" and a "weak signal" to Europe's competitors. He called on the EU to reverse course to protect its interests.

In addition, Mr. Philippe Latombe, a member of the Democratic Movement (MoDem) and an ally of Mr. Bayrou, said that although the agreement just reached between the EU and the US helps avoid a trade war, it comes at the cost of "a deplorable submission, a burden for the future and a sacrifice of some areas of sovereignty".

“This is a bad deal, except for President Trump,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, on July 27, the French Socialist Party warned that the EU was becoming a "vassal" of the United States.

The French Finance Ministry said Finance Minister Eric Lombard and Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot will hold a meeting on July 30 with the country's major businesses to assess the impact of the deal.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/phap-chi-trich-gay-gat-thoa-thuan-thuong-mai-my-eu-goi-day-la-dau-hang-2025072819093569.htm