The media reported on France's desire to use the EU's powerful trade instrument against the United States.

France wants the European Union to consider for the first time the possibility of using its most powerful retaliatory measure against the United States if President Donald Trump uses tariffs to force the bloc to change policy. This was reported by Bloomberg on March 21.

"France has joined a small group of EU countries that believe that the so—called anti—coercion instrument — a tool designed to retaliate against countries that use trade and economic measures forcibly - should be on the table," the agency said.

The anti-coercion tool will allow the EU to apply a wide range of retaliatory measures, including restrictions on trade and services, as well as certain intellectual property rights, foreign direct investment and access to public procurement.

Trump imposes duties against Canada, Mexico and China. What the media say

On February 26, Trump announced the introduction of US duties of 25% not only on cars from the EU, but also on "everything else." The American leader added that the European Union was created in order to "deceive" the United States, which they did.

On February 10, Trump announced that duties of 25% would be imposed on steel and aluminum imported into the United States. Such duties were imposed on products of those countries that had previously imposed retaliatory restrictions on American products.

Prior to that, on February 1, Trump signed a decree imposing trade tariffs of 25% on goods from Canada, China and Mexico. At the same time, he promised to impose duties on goods from the EU. With this decision, the American leader seeks to reduce the flow of the opioid fentanyl across the border, as well as the flow of migrants.