Paris, July 31, 2025 – The Europe Today: French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday expressed dissatisfaction with the European Union’s negotiating posture in recent trade talks with the United States, stating that the bloc was “not feared enough” and pledging a firmer French stance in upcoming discussions.
Addressing ministers during a cabinet meeting, Macron emphasized that the trade agreement reached over the weekend between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and U.S. President Donald Trump was “not the end of it,” and called for more assertive diplomacy moving forward.
“Europe does not see itself enough as a power yet. To be free, you have to be feared. We were not feared enough,” Macron reportedly said. “France has always held a stance of being firm and demanding. It will continue to do so.”
The recently agreed framework accord, reached just ahead of an August 1 deadline that threatened steep tariffs, will impose 15 percent duties on most EU exports to the U.S. — a rate higher than pre-Trump levels but lower than the 30 percent initially proposed by the American side.
As part of the deal, the European Union committed to purchasing $750 billion worth of liquefied natural gas, oil, and nuclear fuels from the United States over the next three years, alongside $600 billion in additional investments into the American economy.
Despite criticism of the EU’s negotiating strength, Macron acknowledged the complex context of the talks and the importance of the agreement in providing short-term “visibility and predictability.”
“The negotiations were held in difficult circumstances, but the outcome has preserved French and European interests, particularly in key export sectors such as aviation,” he said.
The French President also noted that the deal remains a framework, and suggested that the EU could still secure “new exemptions” during follow-up discussions to finalize the agreement’s details.
French Finance Minister Éric Lombard echoed the President’s sentiments later on Wednesday, telling reporters that the EU’s approach lacked vigor at certain critical moments.
“There is the issue of the negotiation method, which within the European Union may not have been as energetic or vigorous in certain phases,” Lombard said following a meeting at the finance ministry. “This is what the President referred to when he stated that we must improve our ability to be feared and to carry weight in negotiations.”
The comments signal a clear message from Paris that France intends to push for a more assertive European voice in future transatlantic economic talks.
