Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday expressed "strong disapproval" of the United States' decision to impose 30% tariffs on European Union exports, urging the EU to prepare "credible countermeasures" in response.

According to Anadolu Agency, Macron, along with the President of the European Commission, expressed significant disapproval of the US announcement to implement horizontal tariffs on EU exports starting August 1st. Macron emphasized the necessity for the European Commission to assert the bloc's determination to protect European interests.

Macron highlighted the importance of accelerating preparations for credible countermeasures, utilizing all available instruments, including anti-coercion measures, if an agreement is not reached by the set deadline. He reiterated France's full support for the ongoing negotiations aimed at reaching a mutually acceptable agreement before August 1st, underscoring the respect that trading partners like the EU and the US should maintain given their shared interests and integrated value chains.

The US tariffs, announced by former President Donald Trump, are set to take effect on August 1st, threatening ongoing US-EU trade talks. Trump revealed these plans in messages to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, indicating a 30% tariff on goods from both Europe and Mexico.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen responded by expressing her readiness to work towards an agreement with the US by August 1st, while also committing to take necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including adopting proportionate countermeasures.