French President Emmanuel Macron announced the possibility of the European Union imposing customs duties on Chinese products in the coming months, if Beijing does not take effective measures to reduce the growing trade deficit with Europe. Macron explained, in an interview with the French newspaper "Les Echos" published on Sunday, that he conveyed this position directly to Chinese officials during his recent visit to Beijing, stressing that possible European steps may be similar to the measures adopted by the United States regarding Chinese products.

Published on: 07/12/2025 - 17:55 Last updated: 07/12/2025 - 17:55

French President Emmanuel Macron said in a press interview published on Sunday that he threatened Beijing with the possibility of imposing customs duties on Chinese products if the latter did not take measures to reduce the trade deficit with the European Union.

Macron said in an interview published on Sunday in the French daily newspaper Les Echos, upon his return from an official visit to China, “I told them that if they do not take action, we Europeans will be forced, in the next few months, to take strict measures (...) similar to the United States, such as imposing customs duties on Chinese products.”

It is noteworthy that Washington imposes high customs duties on Chinese products, and these duties were reduced from 57% to 47% according to an agreement announced at the end of October between the two countries.

Macron stressed that "China is attacking the core of the European industrial and innovative model, which has historically relied on operating machines and cars."

For reference, the protectionist policy pursued by the Trump administration exacerbates the situation. Macron said this policy “exacerbates our problems by significantly redirecting Chinese trade flows to our markets.”

Read also: Macron visits China amid a European quest to balance competition and dependence on Beijing

He added, "Today we are stuck between the two extremes, and this is a matter of life or death for European industry."

During his visit to China, Macron stressed the need for Europe to accept Chinese investments in order to reduce its trade deficit with China.

“We cannot import constantly,” he told Les Echos newspaper. “Chinese companies have to come to Europe.”

There are about ten areas of interest, the most important of which are batteries, lithium refining, wind energy, photovoltaics, electric vehicles, air heat pumps, consumer electronics, recycling technologies, industrial robotics, and advanced components.

Macron emphasized that Chinese investments in Europe “should not be exploitative, that is, they should not aim to impose hegemony and create dependency.”

France 24/Reuters

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