French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a meeting with representatives of the sectors affected by US tariffs at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, April 3, 2025, after US President Trump announced on April 2, a taxation of 20 percent tariffs to Europe. MOHAMMED BADRA/Pool via REUTERS
Macron Urges European Companies to Halt U.S. Investments Following Tariff Announcement
French President Calls for Investment Suspension
French President Emmanuel Macron has called on European companies to suspend planned investments in the United States in response to newly announced global tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking at a meeting with French industry representatives on Thursday, Macron stated that “investments to come or investments announced in recent weeks should be suspended until things are clarified with the United States.”
Impact on European Corporations
Macron’s statement comes shortly after French shipping company CMA CGM announced a $20 billion investment in the United States for the development of shipping logistics and terminals. The investment had previously been welcomed by President Trump and referenced in his Wednesday speech unveiling the tariffs. Additionally, French electrical equipment manufacturer Schneider Electric recently disclosed a $700 million investment plan aimed at supporting U.S. energy infrastructure to facilitate the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Neither company has yet responded to Macron’s proposal.
Possible European Union Response
Macron indicated that the European Union is considering various countermeasures, including the activation of the EU’s anti-coercion mechanism, a legal instrument designed to protect the bloc’s trade interests. He also suggested that potential responses could target digital services and financial mechanisms within the U.S. economy.
The French President emphasized that any retaliation would be “more powerful” than the EU’s previous response to U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum. He described the new U.S. tariffs as “brutal and unfounded” and argued that they pose a significant challenge to international trade. Macron asserted that Europe’s response should be tailored “industry by industry” to ensure a strategic and effective counteraction.
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