France demands total EU exemption from U.S. tariffs

France’s finance minister said on Thursday that nothing short of an outright European Union exemption from U.S. steel tariffs would be acceptable and that there would be no talks with Washington if it was not granted.

U.S. President Donald Trump has granted an exemption for the European Union until June 1, although EU officials have said it is not clear what Washington wants.

Everybody would lose out in a trade war, France’s finance minister, Bruno Le Maire, told France 2 public TV station.

“We must stand firm and united versus the United States and convey one and the same message – that there must be a total, permanent exemption short of which there will be no talks,” he said.

source: Reuters