French ministers say EU-US trade deal has merits but is also unbalanced

French government ministers said a framework trade deal between the United States and European Union had some merits – such as exemptions for some key French business sectors such as spirits – but was nevertheless unbalanced.

“The trade agreement negotiated by the European Commission with the United States will bring temporary stability to economic actors threatened by the escalation of American tariffs, but it is unbalanced,” wrote French European Affairs Minister Benjamin Haddad on X.

That view was echoed by France’s industry minister Marc Ferracci, who said more talks – which could last weeks or months – would be needed before the deal could be formally concluded.

Story continues below this ad

Ferracci told RTL radio that more needed to be done in terms of rebalancing the EU’s trade relations with the U.S.

“This is not the end of the story,” Ferracci told RTL.