French President Emmanuel Macron has warned China that he could impose import tariffs if the country does not reduce its trade surplus with the European Union.
If the country does not take action, Macron said, Europe will be forced to respond with strict measures in the coming months to current Chinese trade practices, mentioning possible steps similar to those taken by U.S. President Donald Trump, including tariffs on Chinese goods.
EU member states cannot make individual decisions on trade policy with countries outside the bloc, as these issues fall within the remit of the European Commission, and Macron acknowledged that it would be difficult to convince all 27 EU member states to support his position, pointing to Germany’s differing stance due to its significant exports to China.
Macron expressed concern about China’s influence on Europe’s industrial and innovation model, which is traditionally rooted in sectors such as engineering and automotive manufacturing. He also criticised Donald Trump’s protectionist measures, saying they had exacerbated challenges and flooded European markets with Chinese goods. “We are caught between two fires, and this is a matter of life and death for European industry,” he said.
