US trade policies dual faced given Russia-Ukraine conflict

Paris/Washington: Europe has been forced to pay a heavy price for imposing restrictions on Russian fuel imports given the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The displeasure in the European countries on this issue is now coming on the anvil and the French President has directly reprimanded the United States. French President Emmanuel Macron has accused the US Biden administration’s policies on fuel exports and trade to Europe are dual-faced. This criticism by President Macron, when French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna is set to enter the United States, is attracting attention.

Moreover, Macron reprimanded the Biden administration. He said that the Biden administration took some decisions to make the US economy look good. While respecting those decisions, such decisions symbolize a dual policy. Fuel prices have been kept low in the United States. But at the same time, record prices are being charged for fuel gas exported to Europe.’ The Biden administration has given almost 80% subsidies to certain areas in the United States. At the same time, European countries have been stopped from taking such decisions. This also shows the hypocrisy of the United States. The French President warned, ‘Such decisions affect the credibility of US-Europe trade.’ The Biden administration has given large subsidies to electric vehicles in the United States through the ‘Inflation Reduction Act’. Europe claims this is unfair support given to the ‘green economy’ in the United States.

Along with the United States, President Macron has also targeted Norway, which is part of Europe. The French President alleged that countries like the United States and Norway are getting ‘super profits’ by using the geopolitical situation in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Macron had earlier indicated that initiative should be taken to demand that these two countries supply fuel to European and Asian countries at lower rates. The French President, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, also criticized the United States. Finance Minister Maire said that the United States sells fuel gas to European companies at four times the local rates.

Although there is cooperation between the United States and France on some issues, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, it has also come to light that there are differences in many issues. Last year, tension arose between France and the United States over the ‘AUKUS Deal’ that the United States signed with Australia with the help of the United Kingdom. France also decided to recall its ambassador from the United States. After that, US President Joe Biden tried to smoothen cooperation with France. However, Macron’s statements indicated that this cooperation has not yet returned to normal and the differences still exist between the two countries.