Donald Trump in Washington, the United States, April 2, 2025. (Getty Images North America / Andrew Harnik)
The outcome of customs duties negotiations between the European Union and the United States is hoped for on August 1.
Some 2,000 companies that
carry out half of the French exports to the United States
are exposed to the American market for 10% or more of their turnover, and
would suffer half the shock
Additional customs duties, according to a study of French customs this Friday, July 25.
With 48.6 billion euros in goods exported to the United States in 2024, the essentials of which by 14,700 companies in the merchant sectors (excluding agricultural and financial goods), the country is the
second export destination for France
In value behind Germany (78 billion euros). While the outcome of negotiations on customs duties between the European Union (EU) and the United States is
hoped for August 1,
The discussions continue and an agreement seemed to be emerging in recent days with American customs duties brought back to 15%, accompanied by exemptions in the aeronautical or pharmaceutical sector.
Temporarily, a customs duty of 10%
Apply to European exports to the United States.
Half of the additional customs duties could weigh on around 2,000 French companies that realize
Three -quarters of exports
of transport equipment (aeronautical and naval construction), drinks or leather goods to the United States, indicates the study. The ability of these companies to resist the shock of this new custom customs lies in particular in
margin rate
: a high rate can be reduced by a company in order to “keep its customers” or to “absorb in whole or in part the increase in customs duties for its customers by lowering its prices”, adds the document.
The situation would be “more difficult” especially for “independent companies”
The margin rate of exporting companies to the American market is established on average
at 35.5% in 2024,
Against 27.9% for companies in France in 2022, with contrasting situations depending on the size or sector of activity. Thus, a quarter of these companies have a margin rate below 11%, and a quarter greater than 52.1%, notes the study. In the event that companies are trying to fully neutralize the price increase by reducing the margin rate, they should reduce them by 0.6 points with customs duties by 10%, and by almost 2 points with 30%customs duties.
Given exposure to the American market and business margin rates, the situation would be “more difficult for the industry
Manufacturing of transport equipment
(aeronautical and naval construction) “and” for
microentreprises
and for
independent companies “,
estimate the authors.
