Tariffs - World news, culture and opinion

Trump administration appeals to Supreme Court to save tariffs ruled illegal

Faced with the threat of having his tariffs suspended, the US president is counting on the Supreme Court to preserve a key negotiating tool in his international trade strategy.

Published on September 4, 2025, at 10:47 am (Paris), updated on September 4, 2025, at 12:51 pm Le Monde with AFP

News

Trump plans to ask the US Supreme Court for an 'expedited ruling' in tariff appeal

Since January, Trump has invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose 'reciprocal' tariffs on almost all US trading partners, with a 10% baseline level and higher rates for dozens of economies.

Published on September 2, 2025, at 11:04 pm (Paris), updated on September 3, 2025, at 9:01 am Le Monde with AFP

In Depth

Trump's tariffs declared illegal once again by US appeals court

A federal appeals court on Friday upheld a previous ruling against the Trump administration's 'reciprocal' tariffs, which will remain in effect at least until mid-October as the US president turns to the Supreme Court.

Published on August 30, 2025, at 11:27 am (Paris) Nicolas Chapuis

News

US appeals court finds Trump's global tariffs illegal

The 7-4 ruling by the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed a lower court's decision finding that Trump had exceeded his authority in tapping emergency economic powers to impose wide-ranging duties.

Published on August 30, 2025, at 12:22 am (Paris), updated on August 30, 2025, at 1:06 am Le Monde with AFP

In Depth

EU rocked by Trump's attack on digital regulation

Washington's threats to retaliate against countries that tax American tech giants have destabilized members of the European Union.

Published on August 29, 2025, at 11:31 pm (Paris), updated on August 30, 2025, at 10:41 am Cédric Vallet

In Depth

Are tariffs good for the climate?

In France, half of all greenhouse gas emissions are generated by imports. Would reducing global trade through tariffs therefore improve the country's carbon footprint? The answer is not so straightforward.

Published on August 29, 2025, at 8:00 pm (Paris) Eric Albert

News

US tariffs on Indian products double to 50% in response to Russian oil purchases

India has been one of Russia's main customers for oil since the outbreak of war in Ukraine. In early August, the US president announced the punitive rate in response to Moscow's refusal to agree to a ceasefire.

Published on August 27, 2025, at 8:34 am (Paris), updated on August 27, 2025, at 7:07 pm Le Monde with AFP

News

Countries regulating US tech firms in Trump's crosshairs

Donald Trump threatened on Monday to impose tariffs and institute export restrictions on US tech and chips on European countries and others who have created laws to regulate the online world.

Published on August 26, 2025, at 5:21 am (Paris), updated on August 26, 2025, at 9:47 am Le Monde

In Depth

US tariffs cast a shadow over Champagne's harvest

The joint statement published on August 21 by the EU and the US confirms that European spirits are now subject to a 15% import tariff when entering the American market.

Published on August 25, 2025, at 5:00 am (Paris) Laurence Girard

News

French and German postal services suspend certain deliveries to US over tariffs

France's La Poste and Germany's DHL said Friday they were imposing a number of restrictions on packages destined for the US, citing unanswered questions and lack of time to prepare for new tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.

Published on August 22, 2025, at 6:45 pm (Paris), updated on August 23, 2025, at 11:33 am Le Monde with AFP

In Depth

Tariffs: US and EU finalize new trade framework

In a joint statement on Thursday, Washington and Brussels unveiled the details of the deal reached at the end of July, which imposes a 15% tariff on most European exports. The pharmaceutical and aviation sectors will be exempt, but not wine and spirits.

Published on August 22, 2025, at 11:16 am (Paris) Cédric Vallet

News

Modi and Macron vow closer ties as Trump presses India on Russian oil

India's prime minister said Thursday he agreed with France's president to deepen their partnership, as New Delhi faced US threats of steep tariffs.

Published on August 21, 2025, at 9:09 pm (Paris), updated on August 21, 2025, at 9:10 pm Le Monde with AFP

News

EU secures lower US car tariffs in new trade deal, but fails to protect wine

EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic hailed a 15% ceiling on most exports as the 'most favorable' US trade accord yet, while France lamented failure to shield its wine sector from new levies.

Published on August 21, 2025, at 4:18 pm (Paris), updated on August 21, 2025, at 4:33 pm Le Monde with AFP

Editorial

Trump's incoherent China policy

The American president's lack of a clear strategy for dealing with China, especially in trade matters, has sown confusion among Washington's partners and played into Beijing's hands.

Published on August 13, 2025, at 12:42 pm (Paris) Le Monde

News

Trump confirms extension of China tariff truce by 90 days

Trump announced the news Monday on his Truth Social page, adding that 'all other elements' from the prior agreement 'will remain the same.'

Published on August 12, 2025, at 2:28 am (Paris), updated on August 12, 2025, at 9:27 am Le Monde with AFP

News

Trump keeps up the pressure on pharmaceutical companies amid tariff uncertainty

Currently exempt from US tariffs, pharmaceutical manufacturers fear steep surcharges, as promised by the US president on August 5.

Published on August 11, 2025, at 11:40 pm (Paris), updated on August 12, 2025, at 10:07 am Zeliha Chaffin

In Depth

India-US alliance weakened by trade, Pakistan and oil disputes

The trade war between Washington and New Delhi, the US rapprochement with Pakistan and efforts to isolate Russia – India's main oil supplier – are all threatening the traditional alliance between the two countries.

Published on August 7, 2025, at 2:45 pm (Paris) Sophie Landrin Arnaud Leparmentier

In Depth

Trump's tariffs take effect, ushering in a new world trade order

The US officially broke with decades of free trade at 12:01 am on Thursday, raising the average import tariff on goods from about 2% in January to 17.3% today.

Published on August 7, 2025, at 10:03 am (Paris) Nicolas Chapuis

In Depth

European steel and aluminum industries shrouded in trade uncertainty

The two sectors, already facing structural challenges, continue to be subjected to 50% tariffs in the United States. New negotiations between Brussels and Washington are expected to set quotas allowing some exports to avoid the exorbitant duties.

Published on August 7, 2025, at 12:50 am (Paris), updated on August 7, 2025, at 10:35 am Elie Allan

News

War in Ukraine: Trump open to meeting Putin and Zelensky

US envoy Steve Witkoff met with Putin on Wednesday for what the Kremlin said were 'productive' talks, two days ahead of the US deadline for Russia to make progress toward peace or face new sanctions.

Published on August 6, 2025, at 8:52 pm (Paris), updated on August 7, 2025, at 10:28 am Le Monde with AFP

News

Trump adds 25% tariff on India over Russian oil purchases

This increase brings the combined tariffs imposed by the US on India to 50%. As the tariffs will come into effect 21 days after, India and Russia may have time to negotiate with the Trump administration.

Published on August 6, 2025, at 5:22 pm (Paris), updated on August 6, 2025, at 8:13 pm Le Monde with AP and AFP

News

Will tariffs eventually impact markets?

The 15% tariffs imposed by the US on European imports take effect on August 7. Markets have been expressing concern about the impact these tariffs could have on inflation and US economic growth.

Published on August 6, 2025, at 3:16 am (Paris), updated on August 6, 2025, at 10:29 am Aline Fauvarque

News

European Commission hopes to finalize EU-US trade deal soon

The two sides are set to publish a joint statement formalizing the July 27 compromise. Brussels is suspending retaliatory measures that would have taken effect if a transatlantic deal had not been reached.

Published on August 5, 2025, at 6:41 pm (Paris) Elie Allan

Interview

Trade war: 'The Americans are the ones paying for the tariffs'

Gilles Moëc, chief economist at AXA, argues that while tariffs take time to affect the real economy, they are likely to have recessionary effects in both the US and Europe.

Published on August 3, 2025, at 12:07 pm (Paris) Eric Albert

News

Trump gambles with reindustrializing the US

The American president claims that tariffs will encourage more European and Japanese companies to build factories in the US, but with production lines increasingly automated, these factories are unlikely to create many jobs.

Published on August 2, 2025, at 12:02 am (Paris) Julien Bouissou

News

With Trump's new trade barriers, global commerce enters a new era

By imposing tariffs on dozens of countries starting August 7, the world's largest economy has madea decisive shift toward protectionism. Elsewhere, trade is becoming increasingly regionalized.

Published on August 1, 2025, at 11:10 am (Paris) Julien Bouissou

News

Canada 'disappointed' by new US tariffs, prime minister says

President Donald Trump decided to increase US tariffs on Canadian goods to 35% after Canada announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state.

Published on August 1, 2025, at 10:05 am (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

In Depth

Trump imposes new tariffs, but only from August 7

The US president signed the executive order for the new tariffs on Thursday evening. Initially expected to take effect today, at the deadline set by Washington for the completion of negotiations, they will now come into force in six days.

Published on August 1, 2025, at 9:41 am (Paris), updated on August 1, 2025, at 11:44 am Arnaud Leparmentier

News

Trump orders tariffs on dozens of countries to go into effect on August 7

Among those who managed to strike deals with Washington were Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea and the European Union. Britain also reached a pact with the US. In North America, Trump did not finalize a deal with Canada, but he reached an agreement with Mexico.

Published on August 1, 2025, at 3:09 am (Paris), updated on August 1, 2025, at 7:39 am Le Monde with AFP

News

Trump says 'successful' call with Sheinbaum leads to new Mexico trade talks

The US president said Thursday he had a 'very successful' call with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and announced a 90-day negotiation period, while keeping steep tariffs in place on Mexican imports.

Published on July 31, 2025, at 7:06 pm (Paris), updated on July 31, 2025, at 9:08 pm Le Monde with AP

Op-Ed

'Europe's ability to defend its interests, already questionable, is now seriously in doubt'

The agreement reached between Donald Trump and Ursula von der Leyen establishes an armistice that confirms the imbalance in trade between the US and the EU since April, observes economist François Chimits in an op-ed.

Published on July 31, 2025, at 3:30 pm (Paris) François Chimits

News

EU pushes for wine exemption to US tariffs

After the EU and US announced a trade deal on July 27, in which most EU products imported to the US would be subject to a 15% tariff, France, Italy and others have pushed for an exemption for European alcohol and wines.

Published on July 31, 2025, at 3:08 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

In Depth

Tariffs: Luxury manufacturers worry about their profits

The global market for perfumes and handbags faces mounting challenges, as European exports to the US will be subject to a 15% tariff starting August 1. The increase in taxes could end up affecting subcontractors.

Published on July 31, 2025, at 10:30 am (Paris), updated on July 31, 2025, at 10:49 am Juliette Garnier

News

Trump announces new tariffs on Brazil, India, South Korea as deadline nears

The US president imposed crippling 50% tariffs on Brazil, a 25% levy on Indian exports and a 15% tariff for South Korean exports, while warning Canada it would face trade repercussions for planning to recognize a Palestinian state.

Published on July 31, 2025, at 10:25 am (Paris), updated on July 31, 2025, at 10:29 am Le Monde with AFP

In Depth

EU further abandons its Green Deal with pledge to buy US energy

As part of the trade agreement between the European Union and the US, Europe committed to making strategic purchases across the Atlantic worth $750 billion (about €650 billion), covering fuels.

Published on July 31, 2025, at 9:26 am (Paris), updated on July 31, 2025, at 10:48 am Adrien Pécout

News

Macron says US-EU deal 'not the end' of talks

'To be free, you have to be feared. We were not feared enough,' President Emmanuel Macron told his cabinet.

Published on July 30, 2025, at 4:36 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

News

US and China agree to work on extending the deadline for new tariffs in trade talks

The latest round of talks opened Monday and concluded Tuesday in Stockholm to try to break a logjam over tariffs that have skewed the pivotal commercial ties between the world's two largest economies.

Published on July 30, 2025, at 1:46 am (Paris), updated on July 30, 2025, at 9:48 am Le Monde with AP

In Depth

US-Japan trade deal yields differences of interpretation

Less than a week after President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba agreed on a trade deal, the situation has unraveled. Japan's highly export-driven automotive industry is in disarray and there are deep divisions in how the agreement is understood.

Published on July 29, 2025, at 5:30 pm (Paris) Philippe Mesmer

News analysis

Tariffs: The EU's 'lost opportunity'

Although trade is one of the European Union's main areas of competence, the EU refused to enter into a trade conflict with President Donald Trump, risking its long-term credibility. France's voice was barely heard.

Published on July 29, 2025, at 4:49 pm (Paris) Eric Albert

Op-Ed

'The EU seeks economic deals, preferably for free trade, because the member states leading it gain from them'

The trade agreement signed with the US is seen as the lesser of two evils, particularly by Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Ireland, observes lawyer Nicolas Ravailhe. However, France has struggled to gain an advantage.

Published on July 29, 2025, at 4:18 pm (Paris) Nicolas Ravailhe

In Depth

Tariffs: In France, even the prime minister criticizes the EU's 'submission' to Trump

The tariff deal announced by Donald Trump and EU Commission head Ursula von der Leyen has been criticized by both the left and the right in France, including PM François Bayrou. Nevertheless, the government is not prepared to challenge it.

Published on July 29, 2025, at 11:19 am (Paris), updated on July 29, 2025, at 11:27 am Denis Cosnard

In Depth

What remains to be negotiated and decided after the EU-US trade deal

Ursula von der Leyen and Donald Trump unveiled a slew of figures on Sunday, but several issues still need to be resolved in future negotiation rounds. Some appear almost unattainable.

Published on July 29, 2025, at 10:34 am (Paris) Elie Allan

News

EU defends Trump trade deal after backlash from capitals and businesses

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen clinched the accord of 15% tariffs on EU exports to the US with Donald Trump on Sunday. Reactions from European capitals have ranged from muted to outright hostile.

Published on July 28, 2025, at 4:58 pm (Paris), updated on July 28, 2025, at 6:39 pm Le Monde with AFP

News

French PM Bayrou slams EU-US trade deal as 'submission'

On July 27, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Donald Trump announced a deal to impose 15% tariffs on most European products going to the US, which sparked outcry across France's political spectrum.

Published on July 28, 2025, at 1:46 pm (Paris), updated on July 29, 2025, at 9:30 am Le Monde with AFP

News

Initial tariff impacts painful for auto, textile and chemical industries

Six months after Donald Trump introduced the first US tariffs, companies have started to feel the effects of a shock whose repercussions, though they have been contained for now, are likely to be long-lasting.

Published on July 28, 2025, at 10:56 am (Paris), updated on July 28, 2025, at 5:31 pm Eric Albert Bastien Bonnefous Juliette Garnier

Editorial

EU-US trade deal: A bittersweet compromise for the EU

In exchange for the 15% tax announced on July 27, the European Commission and EU businesses are clinging to the hope that the economy will stabilize. In reality, however, they have no assurance whatsoever.

Published on July 28, 2025, at 10:16 am (Paris) Le Monde

In Depth

Tariffs: EU hands Trump a political win to avoid trade chaos

Ursula von der Leyen and Donald Trump reached an agreement imposing a 15% tariff on most European products imported to the US. The 27 EU member states also committed to purchasing more American oil and gas, and to investing in the country.

Published on July 28, 2025, at 7:53 am (Paris) Elie Allan

News

EU chief and Trump strike trade deal in transatlantic standoff

Donald Trump said the deal, announced with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, involved a 15% baseline tariff on EU exports to the US. The deal came shortly before an August 1 deadline set for deals on US tariffs.

Published on July 27, 2025, at 8:21 pm (Paris), updated on July 28, 2025, at 7:24 am Le Monde with AFP

News analysis

Donald Trump is on the verge of winning his trade war

Many American economic analysts believe the chaotic introduction of punitive tariffs last spring now seems to be giving way to a new world order, in which tariff barriers of 10% to 15%, unthinkable just a year ago, have become the norm and are allowing the US Treasury to rake in billions of dollars.

Published on July 26, 2025, at 7:00 pm (Paris), updated on July 28, 2025, at 9:32 am Arnaud Leparmentier

News

Canadian wine benefits from trade war with the US

In response to Donald Trump's tariffs, Canadian wine and spirits stores have replaced American bottles with locally produced alcohol, leading to a surge in domestic sales.

Published on July 26, 2025, at 1:23 am (Paris), updated on July 26, 2025, at 11:21 am Eliott Dumoulin

News

EU approves €93 billion in counter-tariffs on US goods

Brussels prepares to strike back with up to 30% levies on US goods and services starting August 7 if no deal is reached, responding to US President Donald Trump's tariff threats.

Published on July 24, 2025, at 1:30 pm (Paris), updated on July 24, 2025, at 1:34 pm Le Monde with AFP

News

EU-US trade war looms as an uneven agreement takes shape

With one week left before Donald Trump's deadline for a deal, with threats to impose 30% tariffs on European imports, Brussels scrambles to avert a trade war. A partial agreement is emerging, but it remains uncertain given Trump's unpredictability.

Published on July 24, 2025, at 11:15 am (Paris), updated on July 24, 2025, at 11:45 am Virginie Malingre

In Depth

Why Japan is accepting a 15% tax rate with the US

As Donald Trump had previously threatened to impose a 25% tariff on Japanese imports, this new agreement comes as a relative relief for Japan's automotive sector, which accounts for 8% of all jobs in the country.

Published on July 24, 2025, at 12:38 am (Paris), updated on July 24, 2025, at 1:24 pm Julien Bouissou

News

Trump announces trade deal with Japan, including 15% tariff

The deal comes after Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba faced a bruising weekend election that left his coalition without a majority in the upper house. Trump has been under pressure to wrap up trade pacts after promising a flurry of deals ahead of his August 1 tariff deadline.

Published on July 23, 2025, at 3:57 am (Paris), updated on July 23, 2025, at 9:26 am Le Monde with AFP

Editorial

The EU must assert itself in its trade relationship with the US

The European Union's strategy of absorbing American provocations without activating the retaliatory measures at its disposal has shown its limitations.

Published on July 19, 2025, at 12:12 pm (Paris) Le Monde

News

Indonesia calls Trump a 'tough negotiator' after reaching an agreement with the US

The country has presented the deal as an honorable outcome, and it further diversifies its economic and strategic partnerships with the rest of the world.

Published on July 18, 2025, at 12:32 am (Paris), updated on July 18, 2025, at 8:22 am Brice Pedroletti

Op-Ed

'Europe must coordinate its response to Trump's tariff threats'

Alain Trannoy urges the European Union to move beyond passivity and assert itself by organizing a collective response along with other countries targeted by the US.

Published on July 16, 2025, at 3:11 am (Paris), updated on July 16, 2025, at 2:37 pm Alain Trannoy

News

Brazil's chief prosecutor asks supreme court to convict Bolsonaro of plotting coup

Jair Bolsonaro is accused of seeking to overturn the 2022 election in which he was defeated by a left-wing rival, charges he denies: 'I never violated democracy or the constitution.' Brazil's chief prosecutor has called for a guilty verdict. If convicted, Balsonaro could face decades behind bars.

Published on July 15, 2025, at 10:21 pm (Paris), updated on July 16, 2025, at 11:44 am Le Monde with AP and AFP

In Depth

Tariffs: Europe adopts a tougher stance in response to Trump

After the announcement of a 30% surcharge on all European products, the 27 member states are opting for a three-pronged approach: negotiating, preparing countermeasures and forming alliances with other major countries to increase their leverage against the US.

Published on July 15, 2025, at 2:22 am (Paris), updated on July 15, 2025, at 10:49 am Philippe Jacqué

News

EU says could target €72 billion of US goods if tariff talks fail

The bloc's trade ministers agreed they were still keen to secure an agreement with Washington before the August 1 deadline, to head off the 30% tariffs threatened by Trump.

Published on July 14, 2025, at 4:52 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AFP