In France, on Wednesday 4 February, the National Assembly adopted by a large majority (83 votes in favour, 3 against) a resolution to reject the agreement concluded between the European Union and the United States on trade in July 2025 (see EUROPE 13801/12).
The vote comes on the day that European Parliament negotiators decided to resume talks on two regulations aimed at lowering or eliminating tariffs on a range of American products.
With this vote in the National Assembly, French MPs have “refused to endorse a one-way text, in which only the United States gains economic and commercial advantages”, said Emmanuel Maurel, the MP who tabled the resolution.
Referring to repeated threats from Donald Trump, Mr Maurel said that “the European Union will get nothing from the United States by kowtowing”.
It is not just in France that the agreement has caused a stir. Within the European Parliament and its various national delegations, few are really satisfied with the initial agreement. However, among the main political groups, the EPP and the ECR wish to continue negotiations in order to respect the terms of the agreement and thus ensure predictability for European businesses. (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)