【By Guan察zhe Wang Yi】As the tariff delay period in the United States is about to expire on July 9, French President Macron strongly criticized on June 30, during the Fourth UN Conference on Financing for Development held in Spain, stating that the practice of some major powers imposing tariffs is not aimed at achieving trade balance, but rather a means of "extortion."

"We should restore the freedom and fairness of international trade, not let the most powerful countries set tariffs and trade barriers, which are often used as tools of extortion, rather than to achieve (trade) balance." Macron did not explicitly name the United States or its president Trump in his speech, but his remarks clearly targeted the United States, which recently instigated a tariff war.

On June 30 local time, Macron delivered a keynote speech at the Fourth UN Conference on Financing for Development. VCG

Macron also called on the international community to rethink and support reforms of the World Trade Organization (WTO), aligning its goals with today's global issues of combating inequality and addressing climate change.

He bluntly stated, "It is abnormal to resume trade wars and tariffs at this moment on this planet, especially when I see tariffs imposed on countries just beginning to experience economic growth."

Before Macron made these remarks, on April 2, Trump launched a comprehensive tariff against all U.S. trading partners, with rates ranging from 10% to 50%, but later announced a temporary suspension of some tariffs within 90 days.

The UN Conference on International Trade previously collaborated with the French economic research institution "Center for Future Research and International Information" to issue an assessment, stating that different countries are affected differently by the U.S. tariff policies. Countries with stronger economic foundations have relatively more room to cope, while the least developed economies, including Lesotho, Cambodia, Laos, Madagascar, and Myanmar, are the most vulnerable to the impact of an unstable global trade system and lack the ability to adjust according to changing circumstances.

The assessment pointed out that small businesses in these countries face particular difficulties, as they do not have the capacity to absorb additional costs and respond to external shocks like larger companies, and can only passively accept the consequences of market shrinkage and supply chain disruptions caused by the trade war.

Macron emphasized that the tariff war is "bad for everyone," "damaging" the ability to finance development. He added that the increasing public financial pressure on middle-income and wealthier countries also imposes "greater limitations" on their ability to fund other countries, while "the withdrawal of U.S. funds obviously has a significant impact on the situation."

On June 30, the White House Press Secretary, Caroline Leavitt, refuted Macron's characterization of the tariffs. During a press conference that day, when asked about the French president's criticism of U.S. tariffs as "extortion," Leavitt suppressed her smile and responded, "The president and the White House certainly will not accept the statement from President Macron. Imposing tariffs is an effective use of presidential power, helping to restore the American middle class and revitalize our manufacturing industry, which is the cornerstone of the U.S. economy."

On June 30 local time, White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt hosted a press conference. Video screenshot

"Perhaps Europe and other parts of the world are not accustomed to this approach, but President Trump has returned, and he will do what is best for our people and country," Leavitt added.

Macron is an outspoken critic of U.S. tariffs. Soon after Trump announced "reciprocal tariffs," he described them as "cruel and baseless." He pointed out that Trump targeted the EU over the trade deficit with the U.S., yet ignored the EU's substantial trade deficit in digital and technology services with the U.S.

Macron called on EU companies to stop being "naive" toward the U.S., maintain "collective unity," and suspend investments in the U.S. He once asked, "What message does it send when European major players invest billions of euros into the U.S. economy while the U.S. attacks us?"

Recently, as "reciprocal tariffs" are about to be reinstated, while the EU discusses a collective response to the U.S. tariff measures, Macron again showed a firm stance. He said, "I hope we can quickly reach an agreement... However, this willingness should not be mistaken for weakness," "but we will not agree to such an agreement at any cost." He also hinted that if the U.S. insists on maintaining a 10% "reciprocal tariff" rate on Europe, Europe would impose tariffs of the same level on U.S. companies.

At the NATO summit on June 25, Macron criticized the U.S. for demanding that European allies increase defense spending while launching a trade war against them, calling this behavior itself "abnormal."

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Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7521918764430967342/

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