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French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Europe will have to “make itself respected” if it is “attacked” in the trade sector.
He made this statement upon arriving at an informal meeting of EU heads of state and government dedicated to defense issues, as reported by BFMTV.
Speaking in Brussels on Monday, Macron warned that if Europe is “attacked” in international trade, it must respond, particularly amid U.S. threats of tariffs on European goods.
“If we are attacked on trade issues, Europe, as a force that stands its ground, will have to make itself respected and, therefore, react,” Macron said.
He added that recent statements from the United States are pushing Europe to become stronger and more united.
“Just as COVID-19 and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine were wake-up calls for Europe, the choices and statements of the new administration of President Donald Trump are pushing the EU to be more cohesive and more active in addressing collective security challenges,” Reuters quoted Macron as saying.
European Leaders Respond
- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that the EU could respond with its own tariffs if necessary but emphasized that cooperation is more important.
- EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas warned that a potential “trade war” between the U.S. and Europe would harm both sides.
- Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda suggested that the EU should present constructive proposals to the U.S. to avoid economic confrontation with its
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