Macron tells Trump US tariffs are ‘illegal’, EU will respond – Elysee

French President Emmanuel Macron (left) on May 8, 2017, and United States President Donald Trump  at the White House on May 4, 2017. (AFP PHOTO / STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN AND MANDEL NGAN)

French President Emmanuel Macron told United States President Donald Trump that tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the European Union (EU) were “illegal” and that the bloc would respond in a “firm and proportionate manner”, the Elysee Palace said.

The French president, who has forged a good relationship with his US counterpart, spoke to Trump on the phone late Thursday, urging him to take part in negotiations with the EU, China, and Japan to strengthen the rules of the World Trade Organization. /kga