The French leader did not strike as dire a tone as his prime minister, who said the pact marked a “dark day” for Europe, and even credited the deal for bringing some short-term clarity to the situation.
Macron also lauded European negotiators for protecting French and European interests during “negotiations conducted in difficult conditions” given Trump’s desire to implement some form of tariffs on U.S. trading partners — and with them, fundamentally transform the global economy.
But Macron said he believes there’s still time to do better.
“The story isn’t over and we won’t stop there,” he said.
The deal has proved a lightning rod across the continent, especially considering the 10 percent tariffs post-Brexit Britain secured on most of its own exports across the Atlantic.
Though leaders like German Chancellor Friedrich Merz — who was pushing for a quick agreement to protect the country’s export-oriented economy — and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have welcomed the accord, France has led the chorus of its political opponents.