BCN-07 Macron tells Trump US tariffs are ‘illegal’, EU will respond

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ZCZC

BCN-07

STEEL-TRADE-METAL-ECONOMY

Macron tells Trump US tariffs are ‘illegal’, EU will respond

PARIS, June 1, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Emmanuel Macron told Donald Trump late
Thursday that tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from the European Union
were “illegal” and that the EU would respond in a “firm and proportionate
manner”, the Elysee Palace said.

The phone call between the French president and his US counterpart came
after the US announced the steep metals tariffs would be imposed on the
European Union, Canada and Mexico as of midnight (0400 GMT Friday).

Macron, who has forged a good relationship with the US president, spoke to
Trump on the phone, urging him to take part in negotiations with the EU,
China and Japan to strengthen the rules of the World Trade Organisation.

He called the decision to impose tariffs a “mistake”, warning that
“economic nationalism” would penalise everyone including the US.

Earlier Thursday Macron told journalists at the Elysee Palace that he
deplored the American decision.

“I think this decision is a mistake in many ways because it responds to
existing international imbalances in the worst way — by breaking up and
creating economic nationalism.

“And nationalism is war. That’s exactly what happened in the 30s,” he
added.

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said Thursday that France will
refuse to enter into trade talks with the United States while punishing steel
and aluminum tariffs are in effect.

“We refuse to negotiate under pressure,” Le Maire told reporters while en
route to a Group of Seven meeting in Canada. And “being hit by the tariffs
will not help us to open the door to any kind of negotiation.”

BSS/AFP/HR/0925