A French minister demands the extension of negotiations between the EU and the US. The thought with which some Europeans begin to resign
Illustrative photography – US President Donald Trump stops his mobile phone, who rang twice while talking to reporters, in the White House Oval Office, on Washington, on May 23, 2025: Photo: Evan Vucci / AP / Profimedia
The French Minister of Finance has requested the extension of the negotiations between the EU and the US in the field of trade beyond the deadline of July 9, in order to obtain a better agreement, reports Reuters.
The deadline was set by US President Donald Trump, who argues that a failure of the negotiations to perfect an agreement can trigger the increase of US customs duties for goods, from cars to pharmaceuticals.
The progress of the negotiations between the big trading partners remains uncertain. European officials are increasingly resigned with the idea that a 10% “mutual” tariff imposed by Washington in April will be the basis of any agreement, sources familiar with discussions told Reuters.
“I think we will conclude an agreement with the Americans,” said the French Minister of Finance, Eric Lombard, in an interview published on Sunday.
“As for the deadline, my desire is for a new postponement. I would rather a good agreement than a bad agreement on July 9,” the French official stressed.
The Secretary of the US Treasury, Scott Bessent, said this month that the deadlines for some countries that negotiate with good faith could be extended.
Following the summit of the European Council on Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Paris wants a quick and pragmatic agreement with the US, but will not accept disproportionate terms.
EU leaders discussed a new US proposal at the meeting, but the European Commission has not revealed the content content.
Minister Lombard says that the agreement could also be the field of energy, with a possible increase in European gas imports to replace flows from Russia.
