Macron calls for EU trade defense powers similar to US Section 301 to protect strategic sectors

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday called for the European Union to adopt trade defense measures modeled on the U.S. Section 301 law, arguing the bloc must be able to protect strategic industries from foreign competition.

Speaking at an event on quantum computing in Bruyères-le-Châtel, Macron said: "We must accept to take protective measures, safeguard measures." He urged the creation of "the European equivalent of Section 301." Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 allows U.S. authorities to investigate unfair or discriminatory trade practices and impose tariffs in response.

"There is no reason why, when our sovereignty is at stake, hit by foreign actors … we should not react," Macron said in his speech.

In line with France's long-standing economic agenda, Macron defended local content requirements and a "Buy European" push of the type foreseen in the EU's proposed Industrial Accelerator Act. While he did not elaborate on how an EU "Section 301" might look or make specific mention of tariffs on Friday, Macron called for across-the-board tariffs to shield strategic sectors in an address to European industrialists in Antwerp earlier this year.

The European Commission is working on a package of trade defense measures ahead of an internal strategy debate on the competitive threat posed by China scheduled for next Friday, and an EU leaders' summit in mid-June. Among options being considered are identifying additional sectors for safeguard investigations, where the EU would assess how imports may be harming local industry and whether tariff quotas could be imposed.