Rabat – French President Emmanuel Macron has raised the prospect of imposing tariffs on Chinese goods, warning that Europe may need to respond firmly if Beijing does not address its widening trade surplus with the EU.
The comments, published today in Les Echos, come just days after Macron concluded a state visit to China.
Macron said he conveyed a clear message during his trip: “If they don’t react, we Europeans will be forced to take strong measures in the coming months.” He noted that these measures could mirror steps taken by the US, including new tariffs on Chinese products.
A deepening deficit
According to Les Echos, the EU’s trade deficit with China surpassed €300 billion ($350 billion) in 2024.
The imbalance has grown sharply in recent years, up by more than 60%, fueling concerns across European industries already grappling with global competition and shifting supply chains.
While France has been pushing for a stronger stance, EU members cannot set tariffs unilaterally. Decisions must come through the European Commission, a process that requires consensus across the 27-member bloc.
Macron acknowledged the difficulty, noting that Germany, whose companies have a strong foothold in China, “is not yet entirely aligned with our position.”
Transatlantic pressure
Macron pointed out that US protectionism has compounded Europe’s challenges.
The US President Donald Trump’s administration imposed tariffs of 57% earlier this year, later reduced to 47% under a bilateral agreement with China reached in October.
As a result, Macron said, China is “massively” redirecting products initially destined for the US market toward Europe.
“China wants to pierce the heart of the European industrial and innovation model,” he said, referring to sectors such as machine tools and automobiles. “This is a question of life and death for European industry.”
Seeking a negotiated path
Despite the escalating rhetoric, Macron said he still believes a negotiated solution with Beijing is possible.
During his visit, he argued that the EU must also create space for more Chinese direct investment as part of efforts to rebalance trade flows. “We cannot always be importing, Chinese companies must come to Europe,” he told Les Echos.
At the same time, he stressed that Europe could not allow companies with “hegemonic objectives” to operate as “predators.” He called for a strategy that protects vulnerable sectors, particularly the automotive industry, while strengthening European competitiveness.
The latest report cited by Les Echos shows the growing alarm among European policymakers over the 64% expansion of China’s trade surplus with the EU over recent years.
As Europe debates how to respond, Macron positioned France as one of the voices urging decisive action, even as he maintains that diplomacy remains the preferred path forward.
