Eric Lombard on US tariffs: "We have entered a world of economic predators"

The announcement of an agreement in principle on customs duties, reached between the United States and the European Union on Sunday evening in Scotland , is not going down well. The United States threatened to raise the rate to 30%, but ultimately the 15% rate was retained on European exports to the United States, with exemptions that are still unclear. No retaliatory measures are planned, and Europe has even committed to increasing its energy purchases by $750 billion, and to making an additional $600 billion in investments in the United States.

In France, this agreement, even if it does see the light of day since several points have not yet been finalized, is criticized by employers and the entire political class. The latter unanimously denounced throughout the day a vassalization of Europe, a capitulation or surrender. Even Prime Minister François Bayrou spoke of a "dark day" and of submission.

For Libération , the Minister of Economy and Finance, Eric Lombard, who is negotiating with his American and European counterparts