EU 'will not back down' in face of tariffs, French trade chief says

Laurent Saint-Martin calls for unity inside and outside Europe in facing U.S.

France's trade minister, Laurent Saint-Martin, said in a written interview with Nikkei that "it is important to prepare countermeasures that enable us to establish a balance of power" with the U.S. (Government of France)

MADOKA KITAMATSU

April 11, 2025 14:01 JST

PARIS -- The European Union should consider countermeasures to tariffs, including one typically considered a last resort, France's trade minister indicated Thursday in a written interview with Nikkei.

"All options are on the table," said Laurent Saint-Martin, who oversees tariff issues and attended the EU meeting of trade ministers on Monday. "The European Union has a substantial toolbox at its disposal, including the ACI." He was referring to the Anti-Coercion Instrument, created in 2023 by the EU with countries like China in mind.