French President Emmanuel Macron has issued a sharp rebuke of the use of tariffs by powerful nations, branding them “blackmail” rather than legitimate trade tools. Speaking at the International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville, Spain, Mr Macron’s remarks come as the European Union enters a delicate phase of trade negotiations with the United States, ahead of a 9 July deadline.
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Although he refrained from naming any country directly, the French President’s comments were clearly aimed at global economic powers, particularly in the context of the recent imposition of tariffs by the United States. “We must restore liberty and fairness to international trade—far more so than barriers and tariffs created by the strongest, which are often used as blackmail rather than genuine rebalancing instruments,” he told delegates.
Mr Macron also called for a reinvigorated World Trade Organization (WTO), better equipped to address modern challenges such as inequality and climate change. He criticised the re-emergence of trade wars, particularly those affecting nations in the early stages of economic development. “To reintroduce trade wars and tariffs now, when the planet is facing unprecedented challenges, is a complete absurdity,” he said.
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The comments follow former U.S. President Donald Trump’s April decision to impose widespread tariffs—initially ranging from 10 to 50 per cent—on imports to the United States. Although these were later reduced for a 90-day period, global concern remains. The United Nations trade agency had previously warned of the potentially devastating consequences for developing economies, with nations such as Lesotho, Cambodia, Laos, Madagascar and Myanmar among the hardest hit. Mr Macron has long criticised the contradiction of demanding greater European defence spending while simultaneously pursuing protectionist trade policies.
