Faced with “trade brutality” and “unfair competition”, the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron this Friday appealed for “policies to protect our industry”, at the inauguration of the fifth edition of the Great Made in France Exhibition on the Élysée.
“We must adopt policies to protect our industry, and that is not a bad word,” he told an audience of French ministers, lawmakers, industrialists and businessmen.
The president spoke about an economic context characterized by “accelerating globalization,” “trade brutality” and “unfair competition,” specifically mentioning “overproduction in China” and American tariffs.
“We need competitiveness policies” and “protection policies if we don’t want to be overwhelmed,” he added. “I need your support,” launched Emmanuel Macron, insisting on a “struggle” led by France on a European scale and “sometimes against many of its allies.” The president specifically cited questions about steel and small parcels that “disrupt the stability of businesses in our downtowns.”
Reduce CO2 emissions
For years, the European steel industry has suffered from stiff competition from China and has also been threatened by rising American import duties. In early October, the European Commission proposed reducing by 47% the annual quota of foreign steel that can be imported into the EU without import duties, particularly from China.
Regarding small packages, the Minister of Finance on Thursday approved the removal of customs duty exemptions on small packages imported into the European Union, which could come into effect from the first quarter of 2026.
At the inauguration of the Great Made in France Exhibition, Emmanuel Macron also called for decarbonization. “We can re-industrialize this country by decarbonizing it,” he said, praising the creation of jobs in France “while reducing CO2 emissions.”
“We must not reopen pre-war opposition in today’s public debate,” the president criticized. “If we want to maintain our big cement plants, our big steel plants and our ports, we have to move faster on decarbonization.” On November 15 and 16, 123 products produced throughout France will be exhibited at the Élysée Palace. This initiative, which is its fifth edition, aims to highlight French manufacturing.
