Customs duties: Could France turn to other markets to replace the United States?

While Donald Trump seems to have backtracked on his tariff hike policy in recent weeks after some thunderous initial announcements, the episode has left its mark on decision-makers, particularly in France. "Trade negotiations with the President of the United States must assume a form of power struggle," insisted Industry Minister Marc Ferracci last February. "We must not let this happen," some voices are calling. "We must succeed in doing better without the United States," others are saying. With a shared conviction: that France and Europe no longer depend on Uncle Sam's country for economic survival. To this end, a strategic shift has begun to take place to explore new markets.

We must no longer "forbid ourselves from trading with other parts of the world such as Latin America, Indonesia or the Philippines" , declared for example in April the president of the Mouvement des entreprises de France (Medef) Patrick Martin, before Donald Trump suspended most of his "reciprocal" customs duties for 90 days - except for China. At the time, the boss of the bosses pleaded for France and Europe to "put in place support measures for the impacted sectors" and "accelerate more broadly their competitiveness and diversification strategy" . And there is urgency, according to him. "We must move forward on Mercosur, Ceta with Canada" and "accelerate trade negotiations with India, Indonesia and Malaysia" , "because we are not going to remain tied hand and foot with the very threatening American administration" , explained Patrick Martin on BFMTV at the beginning of April.

At the same time, President Emmanuel Macron was making phone calls, actively working to create new political and economic rapprochements...