French Leaders Criticize EU, US Trade Deal
(MENAFN) French Premier Francois Bayrou has strongly denounced the recently concluded trade pact between Washington and Brussels, asserting that the European Union has capitulated to pressure from the United States.
Speaking out against the arrangement, Bayrou accused the EU of bowing to "US coercion" and compromising its autonomy.
The agreement was finalized on Sunday by European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump.
Under the terms of the deal, the EU sidestepped imminent 30% American tariffs by accepting a uniform 15% duty on most products.
In addition, Europe pledged to grant broader access to American merchandise by refraining from applying tariffs.
“'Von der Leyen-Trump Agreement: It is a dark day when an alliance of free peoples, gathered to affirm their values and defend their interests, resolves to submit,'” Bayrou expressed in a statement on X on Monday, reflecting his disapproval.
Trump further declared on Sunday that the EU would commit to acquiring $750 billion in American energy supplies.
He also claimed that the bloc would purchase “'hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of military equipment'” and invest $600 billion into the US economy.
According to von der Leyen, these purchases and investments are expected to unfold during the remaining three years of Trump's presidential term.
The pact has also sparked criticism from other members of the French government.
European Affairs Minister Benjamin Haddad described the arrangement as “'unbalanced,'” warning that the sense of stability it brings is merely “'temporary.'”
He advocated for the activation of the EU’s so-called Anti-Coercion Instrument as a way to counter the uneven trade relationship with the US, sharing his stance on X on Monday.
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