Macron Warns China to Reduce Trade Surplus or Risk EU Tariffs

French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly warned China that the European Union will impose new tariffs on Chinese goods if Beijing does not address its large trade surplus. Macron stated that Europe would be forced to enact "strong measures" by 2026. The President issued the warning in an interview with the French newspaper Les Echos. He spoke after returning from a diplomatic trip to China that concluded last Friday. Macron argued that China’s current trade practices are unsustainable. He claimed that by maintaining such a large surplus, China is “effectively killing their own customers” in key export markets. The proposed EU measures could include punitive tariffs. This strategy would mirror recent trade policies implemented by the United States. The statement marks a firm public stance from a leading European leader. It signals growing impatience with the significant trade imbalance between the EU and China.