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France hopes to avoid trade war with U.S. but ready to respond, trade minister says

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on March 31, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 24, 2026

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France hopes to avoid trade war with U.S. but ready to respond, trade minister says
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France Ready to Respond to U.S. Trade War Threats

PARIS (Reuters) - France still hopes Europe will avoid a trade war with the United States but it would reply with reciprocal measures if tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump went ahead on Wednesday, said commerce and trade minister Laurent Saint-Martin.

"Europe will never be united and strong if it allows itself to be pushed around in a trade war it didn't want. However, it must always bring a positive agenda to the table," he said in an interview on RTL radio on Monday.

Saint-Martin also said France is planning talks with the U.S. Embassy in Paris to voice opposition against Trump's order to French companies to comply with its diversity ban.

(Reporting by Gianluca Lo Nostro; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta)

Key Takeaways

  • France aims to avoid a trade war with the U.S.
  • Laurent Saint-Martin emphasizes a united Europe.
  • France plans talks with the U.S. Embassy.
  • U.S. tariffs could trigger reciprocal measures.
  • France opposes Trump's diversity ban on companies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main topic?
The main topic is France's stance on potential trade war with the U.S. and its readiness to respond to U.S. tariffs.
What measures might France take?
France may implement reciprocal measures if U.S. tariffs are imposed.
Who is Laurent Saint-Martin?
Laurent Saint-Martin is France's commerce and trade minister.

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