ISTANBUL

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday described the US decision to suspend some of his "reciprocal" tariffs for 90 days and instead imposing a baseline surcharge of 10% for most countries except China as a "signal and an open door to negotiation" but warned the pause remains "fragile."

"The partial suspension of American tariffs for 90 days is a signal and an open door to negotiation. But the pause remains fragile," Macron said on X.

He stressed that despite the temporary suspension, significant tariffs still remain in place.

"The 25% duties on steel, aluminum and automobiles and the 10% tariffs on all other products are still there. They represent €52 billion for the European Union," he said.

The EU had initially been hit by a 20% rate under the "reciprocal” tariffs. Following the reversal, EU imports to the US will be slapped with the baseline 10% rate. Steel, aluminum and cars will remain subject to a separate 25% rate.

Noting the temporary nature of the suspension, he said: "This 90-day pause is 90 days of uncertainty for all our businesses, on both sides of the Atlantic and beyond."

"With the Commission and in European unity, our goal remains simple: to negotiate the removal of these unfair tariffs and obtain a balanced, non-asymmetrical agreement," he added.

He also called for continued preparation of EU countermeasures in case negotiations do not yield results.

"France is ready. Europe must be too. Let’s stay clear-eyed, united, and defend our interests firmly," Macron added.

Recalling a meeting with French entrepreneurs and industrial leaders, Macron underlined their concerns.

"Yesterday I was with business owners and industrialists who are deeply worried. The US tariffs hit the core of their operations. We are right to fight: what’s at stake here are jobs and the vitality of our regions," he said.

"With our European partners, we will do everything to protect our businesses and sectors, everything to assert our economic sovereignty, everything to safeguard the future of our jobs," Macron said.