Overview

• Éric Lombard, France's Economy Minister, has called on top CEOs to exhibit 'patriotism' and support collective European efforts in response to U.S. trade tariffs.
• Bernard Arnault of LVMH and Patrick Pouyanné of TotalEnergies have criticized French and EU policies, warning of potential relocations of production and stock listings to the U.S.
• President Macron previously urged businesses to avoid unilateral actions, emphasizing the importance of collective action in defending European economic interests.
• Retail leader Michel-Édouard Leclerc cautioned against individual agreements with the U.S., stressing the need for a unified European negotiation strategy.
• The standoff highlights growing tensions between French political leaders' appeals for unity and business leaders' demands for lower taxes and reduced bureaucracy.