“It happened like that in 2016”, recalls the Minister of the Economy

“It’s an idiotic war but you have to get into equal arms”Assured the Minister of Economy and Finance, Éric Lombard, in reaction to the American threat of an increase in customs duties on French champagnes and wines. Thursday, March 13, Donald Trump left the doubt of a potential 200 % increase in customs duties on French products. A threat which follows a similar decision on the part of France and the EU, of almost 50 % on American whiskey in particular.

The Minister of Economy assumes the idea that there will now be a de -escalation phase and that many American products will be added in the equation in order to do more pressure on the American administration. “It happened like that eight years ago, in 2016, for Donald Trump’s first term”says Éric Lombard. He also confides that he had maintained himself with the Secretary of State for Commerce: “We agreed that we agreed on nothing”. However, the Minister recalls that it is necessary for the two countries “To get out of this situation” as soon as possible.

Watch the entire interview in the video above.