French Finance and Economy Minister Eric Lombard has condemned the escalating trade tensions between the United States and the European Union as "idiotic," following Washington's threat to impose hefty tariffs on French wine and champagne. Lombard announced plans to travel to the United States in the coming days to ease tensions, emphasizing the need for dialogue.
"We need to talk to the Americans to bring the tension back down," Lombard said in an interview with France 2 television. "By doing this, the United States is hurting itself," he added, referring to the ongoing trade disputes as an "idiotic war."
The remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Thursday to impose tariffs as high as 200% on French and EU wine, champagne, and other alcoholic beverages. This move was in response to the European Union's announcement on Wednesday of tariffs on $28 billion worth of U.S. goods, including bourbon, boats, and motorbikes, set to take effect in stages starting in April.
France Seeks Dialogue to De-escalate Tensions
Lombard stated that he would meet with U.S. officials during his upcoming visit to discuss the trade disputes. Earlier on Thursday, Lombard and French Foreign Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin held what the French Finance Ministry described as a "frank and clear" phone conversation with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
The trade spat between the two economic powers has significant stakes for both sides. According to the World Trade Organization, Europe exported nearly $5.2 billion worth of wine and champagne to the United States in 2023. The potential tariffs could severely impact this trade relationship.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, speaking on Wednesday, reiterated the EU's commitment to defending European interests while remaining "open to negotiations" with the United States. The escalating tariffs have raised concerns about a broader trade war between the two allies, with both sides seeking to protect their domestic industries.
As tensions mount, Lombard's upcoming visit to the U.S. underscores France's efforts to de-escalate the situation and find a resolution to the growing trade rift.