Today: 7 October 2025
14 March 2025
2 mins read

France stands firm against US tariff threats

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen defended the EU’s decision, stating that it was necessary to protect European consumers and businesses from US trade measures

France and its European partners will not bow to US tariff threats and are committed to defending their industries, French Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin said on Thursday. Responding to US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 200 percent tariff on European wines and alcoholic beverages unless the EU removes tariffs on American whiskey, Saint-Martin vowed that France would stand with the European Commission in resisting economic pressure.

“Donald Trump is escalating the trade war he chose to start. France remains determined to respond with the European Commission and our partners,” he wrote on X.

Trump’s warning follows the EU’s announcement of tariffs on USD 28 billion worth of US goods, including a 50 per cent duty on whiskey, in response to previous American levies on steel and aluminium. The US president urged the EU to withdraw its whiskey tariff, warning that retaliatory measures on European alcohol would be imposed “shortly” if it remained in place. “The EU is one of the most hostile and abusive taxing and tariffing authorities in the world,” Trump said, criticising the bloc’s trade policies.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen defended the EU’s decision, stating that it was necessary to protect European consumers and businesses from US trade measures.
The latest tariff threats triggered immediate market reactions, with stock futures falling on Thursday, reversing earlier gains in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also showed signs of further decline, extending losses from the previous day.
The US-EU standoff is part of a broader trade conflict involving other major economies.

Canada previously imposed counter-tariffs on USD 20.7 billion worth of American goods in response to US steel and aluminium duties. Meanwhile, the Trump administration recently doubled tariffs on Chinese imports to 20 per cent, prompting Beijing to retaliate with duties on US agricultural exports.

The escalating disputes have raised concerns about a potential economic downturn. Last week, Goldman Sachs increased its recession probability forecast from 15 per cent to 20 per cent, while Moody’s Analytics raised its estimate to 35 per cent, citing the risks of global trade uncertainty.

Previous Story

US shutdown looms as Democrats weigh funding fight

Next Story

Trump threatens 200% tariff on alcohol from EU

Latest from -Top News

OCTOBER 7: Stop the Violence Now, Says Guterres

Guterres recalled that “the attackers brutally killed more than 1,250 Israelis and foreign nationals….reports Asian Lite News UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged an immediate halt to the violence in Gaza, Israel, and

Piyush Goyal Heads to Doha for Trade Talks

During the visit, both sides are expected to discuss the proposed India–Qatar Free Trade Agreement (FTA)….reports Asian Lite News Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will travel to Doha, Qatar, on

Hamas Heads to Egypt for Gaza Talks

The negotiation will focus on the details of enacting the first phase of the plan…reports Asian Lite News A delegation from the Palestinian group Hamas arrived in Egypt on Sunday ahead of

Multi-alignment, upgraded

With US ties strained and China tense, New Delhi taps Europe’s harder edge for co-development, clean tech and strategic autonomy, writes Manoj Menon India is recalibrating its great-power hedging as frictions with
Go toTop

Don't Miss

France sending warship to provide medical aid to Gaza

Macron on Saturday spoke with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin

France Ready to Welcome 30K Indian Students by 2030

France and India have been sharing a very strong connection