We Will Be Forced to Take Decisive Measures: Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron has threatened to impose tariffs on China if Beijing does not take steps to reduce its massive trade surplus with the EU.

"I told them that if they do not respond, we Europeans will be forced to take decisive measures in the coming months," Macron said.

According to him, these measures could be based on steps taken by the United States, "such as tariffs imposed on Chinese goods, for example." The EU's trade deficit with China, the world's second-largest economy after the US, exceeded 300 billion euros (350 billion dollars) in 2024, as reported by Les Echos.

The 27 member states of the European Union cannot independently determine trade policy, including tariffs; instead, their interests are represented by the European Commission.