French Prime Minister François Bayrou has delivered a stark warning on the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs. In a recent speech in Paris, Bayrou stated that Trump "unleashed a cyclone" on world trade, a phrase that underscores the disruptive ripple effects felt across global markets.
Amid mounting economic pressures, Bayrou emphasized that reindustrialization must become an obsession for France. He highlighted that the nation faces severe fiscal challenges—with national debt mounting to the equivalent of each French person owing $56,000 and public debt reaching $3.7 trillion (over 113% of GDP), while the deficit in 2024 stood at $193 billion.
In a crisis meeting with ministers, the French premier outlined plans for new economic measures to be proposed ahead of France's national day on July 14. However, his proposals have met with criticism. Marine Le Pen, the parliamentary leader of the hard-right National Rally, argued that the measures fall short in addressing the grim reality of the crisis, while CGT union leader Sophie Binet warned that the speech might stoke further public anxiety.
As global trade dynamics are tested by bold policy moves, Bayrou's call for a more efficient, cost-effective industrial strategy resonates with many eager for sustainable reforms. The coming months will be crucial as France navigates these tumultuous economic waters with an eye toward long-term competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
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French PM Bayrou: Trump 'unleashed a cyclone' on world trade
cgtn.com
