French President Emmanuel Macron has urged the European Union and the United States to reach a trade agreement as soon as possible.
Speaking during a visit to Roquefort, a region known for its blue cheese, Macron stressed the importance of reducing tariffs and protecting local producers.
He said the deal should be fair and balanced, allowing markets to stay open rather than imposing more duties. “We need the lowest possible tariffs. The right deal must come quickly, and it must be fair and firm,” Macron stated.
The call comes as the European Commission faces a tight deadline, with trade talks needing resolution by next Wednesday. If no agreement is reached, tariffs introduced under former US President Donald Trump could return, potentially increasing duties on EU imports to 20 percent or more.
Macron acknowledged that while a “zero for zero” tariff deal is ideal, a “10 percent for 10 percent” agreement may be the most realistic outcome at this stage. He also reminded the US of Europe’s recent defense efforts and its move to import American liquefied natural gas, which should be considered signs of goodwill.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said the bloc is ready for an agreement. Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic is currently in Washington to continue negotiations.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also called on the EU to finalise a simple and quick agreement with the US, underlining the urgency of the matter.
