French President Emmanuel Macron has called for an expedited trade agreement between the European Union and the United States, emphasizing that it should feature the lowest possible tariffs. Speaking on July 3, 2025, just days before the deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump, Macron stated, “For me, a good deal is one that is reached as soon as possible, with the lowest possible tariffs, and which is fair and stable.” His comments underscore France’s push to secure favorable trade relations amid rising global economic tensions.
In a separate development, Macron warned Iran of potential retaliation if two French citizens detained in the country are not released. The French leader accused Tehran of making baseless espionage charges against French nationals Séverine Koller and her partner Jacques Paris, who allegedly face accusations of spying for Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad. According to reports from the French news agency AFP, the pair was formally charged on July 2, 2025.
Macron described the allegations as a provocation against France and an unacceptable act of aggression. He added that France will consider countermeasures should Iran persist with its stance. The president also indicated he plans to discuss the issue directly with his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, in the near future.