France Seeks ‘De-Escalation’ from Biden on Trade, Minister Says

France is open to all signs of “de-escalation” from incoming Biden administration in U.S. on trade disputes over aircraft makers and a digital tax, French Trade Minister Franck Riester says in interview on BFM Business television.

• France’s message to President-elect Joe Biden is that “this escalation of tariff barriers, of customs surcharges is ridiculous and counterproductive at a time when we need to relaunch our economies at a time of economic crisis,” Riester says
• The U.S. is likely to impose “illegal, illegitimate” tariffs in retaliation for France’s tax on U.S. digital companies, Riester says
  • “We’d like Joe Biden to be ...