The UE-USA customs agreement is “not good news” for the cosmetics sector, according to L’Oréal

The announcement of American customs duties by 15% “is not good news” for the cosmetics sector, “European flagship”, said the director general of L’Oréal Nicolas Hieronimus, even if it remains “manageable” for his group.

“We go from 0% to 15%. Consequently, So we are not happy,” he said on the sidelines of the presentation of the group’s half-yearly results. However, “It is not good news” for “a cosmetic industry which is a European flagship”, according to him.

“Finally, Europe with almost 500 million consumers will pay customs ue-usa customs agreement “not good duties greater than those of the United Kingdom,” said Nicolas Hieronimus.

The director general of L’Oréal recalled that the cosmetics sector represents “more than 3 million jobs in Europe. Nevertheless, 180 billion euros in contribution to European GDP and” that in France is the second sector which contributes to the trade balance “.

“I remain disappointed with this agreement. ” he said even if “the positive aspect is that it gives visibility and therefore it takes away uncertainty. We can plan”.

With the Alliance Value of Beauty which brings together European actors in beauty. care (L’Oréal, Givaudan, IFF, Puig, Cosmetic Valley …). we will “fight and write to all European leaders and negotiators so that they try to protect this industry better,” said Nicolas Hieronimus.

And also continue the work on the regulatory simplification for which “we can go faster so that we do not have customs duties on one side. ue-usa customs agreement “not good the regulations on the other,” he added.

The director general recognized that for his L’Oréal group, the 15% American customs duties were “manageable”. “This year in any case, this year will not have a major impact on the ability to deliver our results”.

The United States was the “first contributor country” of group growth in the first half, said Nicolas Hieronimus.

L’Oréal which achieves 27% of its turnover in North America. manufactures in the United States half of what it sells there with the four factories it has there. The company has also “made stocks on luxury products”. on perfumes, it can also increase “a little” prices to compensate for customs duties.

L’Oréal also announced in June an agreement for the acquisition of the American brand Color Wow.

Paris, Jul 29 2025 (AFP)