Emmanuel Macron has threatened China with tariffs "in the coming months" if Beijing does not take measures to reduce the trade deficit that continues to grow with the European Union.

In an interview with the publication Les Echos, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that Europe could take firm measures, similar to those of the United States, including imposing tariffs on Chinese products, if Beijing does not respond to economic challenges. Macron warned that the European industrial model is under pressure due to China's economic policies, which affect essential sectors such as machine tools and the automotive industry. Additionally, the protectionism of the Trump administration has redirected some Chinese exports to the European market, putting pressure on EU economies. Macron highlighted the need for a united position in the EU, mentioning that Germany, having close economic ties with China, does not fully agree with this approach. He proposed that Europe should accept Chinese investments, but with strict conditions to avoid strategic dependencies. Macron identified ten priority areas, including batteries, wind energy, electric vehicles, and recycling, that require protection.