Macron hardens Stance Against Trump Tariff Threat to EU
Emanual Macron snubbed his US counterpart Donald Trump (Image credit The White House)
Transatlantic Tensions Escalate: Macron and Von der Leyen Counter Trump’s 30% Tariff Threat
By TRH Global Affairs Desk
NEW DELHI, July 12, 2025 — US President Donald Trump issued a pointed letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, warning of a 30% tariff on EU exports to the US beginning August 1, if Brussels does not swiftly eliminate what he calls “long‑term, large, and persistent trade deficits.”
Trump’s letter, posted publicly, justifies the drastic tariff as a necessary response to EU tariffs and non‑tariff barriers. He warns that any EU retaliation will amplify the tariff and offers relief if EU firms relocate manufacturing to the US.
Macron Warns of Countermeasures
In an immediate response, French President Emmanuel Macron took to X (formerly Twitter), standing firmly with Von der Leyen. He stated: “With European unity, it is more than ever up to the Commission to assert the Union’s determination to resolutely defend European interests… speeding up the preparation of credible countermeasures, by mobilising all the instruments at its disposal, including anti‑coercion, if no agreement is reached by August 1st.”
Responding earlier on X, Ursula von der Leyen voiced deep concern: “A 30% tariff on EU exports would hurt businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic. We will continue working towards an agreement by August 1. At the same time, we are ready to safeguard EU interests on the basis of proportionate countermeasures.”
The potential transatlantic trade war is looming in the backdrop of France’s parliament releasing a report, arguing for a de-coupling of the EU with the US. The report also called for dedollarisation and helping evolution of a “truly global currency.”
Trump’s letter to Leyen also came ahead of the EU-China Summit next week. Incidentally, the report of France’s parliament argued that Europe should integrate more with China after de-linking with the US.
The US-EU tension had also been brewing over Trump threat to militarily annex Greenland. The trade war is further adding to the brewing US-EU tension, reigniting the fear of a transatlantic trade war for which possible hints were given in 2018 in the first term of Trump in the office.
EU Strategy Ahead of China Summit
The tariff threat comes as the EU prepares for its high-stakes summit with China next week, aiming to align on trade diversification and autonomy. Analysts caution that aggressive tariffs by the US serve as economic leverage in the broader geopolitical triangle including China.
Berd Lange, an expert, wrote on X: “Letter from Trump is both impertinent and a slap in the face. We’ve been negotiating intensely for more than three weeks – made offers to improve things in mutual interest. Real willingness to negotiate looks different.”
With the August 1 deadline looming, Brussels is accelerating talks while preparing for possible retaliation—leveraging WTO rights and its anti-coercion toolkit. Meanwhile, Trump’s sharp letter underscores a hard transactional posture tied to US economic nationalism.
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