Finance

Trump tariffs could cut GDP growth by 0.5 pct points, French prime minister says

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on April 5, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 24, 2026

Add as preferred source on Google
Trump tariffs could cut GDP growth by 0.5 pct points, French prime minister says

French GDP Growth Threatened by Trump's Tariff Policies

PARIS (Reuters) - France could see a 0.5 percentage point reduction in gross domestic product growth as a result of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policies, Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said in an interview on Saturday.

"Trump's policies could cost us more than 0.5% of our GDP," Bayrou said, according to excerpts published in an interview with Le Parisien newspaper.

"The imposition of these outrageous tariffs will lead to a global crisis (...). The risk of job losses is significant, as is that of an economic slowdown," he said.

Under Trump's plans announced on Wednesday, France will be subject to a general tariff of 20% along with other European Union countries.

After speaking with Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, President Emmanuel Macron said earlier on Saturday the two countries reaffirmed their determination to "closely coordinate" positions in tariff discussions with Trump.

"A trade war is in no one’s interest. We must stand united and resolute to protect our citizens and our businesses," he said in post on X.

(Reporting by John Irish and Gilles Guillaume; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Toby Chopra)

Key Takeaways

  • Trump's tariffs could cut French GDP growth by 0.5%.
  • French PM warns of significant job losses and slowdown.
  • France faces a 20% tariff under Trump's new plans.
  • France and UK coordinate on tariff discussions with Trump.
  • Global trade war could have widespread economic impacts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main topic?
The article discusses the potential impact of Trump's tariffs on French GDP growth and the broader economic implications.
How much could French GDP growth be reduced?
French GDP growth could be reduced by 0.5 percentage points due to Trump's tariffs.
What is the response from France and the UK?
France and the UK are coordinating their positions in discussions with Trump to address the tariff issues.

Related Articles

More from Finance

Explore more articles in the Finance category