Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed his intention to urge his American counterpart Donald Trump to avoid harming his allies by imposing new tariffs on their exports.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, in statements he made during his visit to the French Agricultural Exhibition, before his expected meeting with Trump in Washington tomorrow, Monday, Macron stressed the need to avoid trade policies that negatively affect allied countries, adding, “Between allies, one of us should not impose suffering on the other through tariffs.”

The French President continued that he will discuss with his American counterpart ways to calm trade tensions, stressing the importance of supporting French agricultural and food products to enhance their competitiveness in global markets.

Macron indicated that he will discuss with Trump various issues, including cooperation agreements and existing disputes, expressing his hope to reach solutions, especially regarding the Ukrainian crisis.

He explained that he will make efforts to convince Trump to adopt more balanced trade policies, stressing that France will take the necessary steps to defend its interests in the event that no understandings are reached.

These statements come in light of Trump’s threats to impose customs duties on a number of allied countries, which sparked protests from Canada, Mexico and the European Union, amid fears of escalating global trade tensions.