Ministers from Bercy bring together businesses to give them “proofs of love”

Ministers Éric Lombard (Economy), Amélie de Montchalin (Public Accounts), Marc Ferracci (Industry and Energy) and Véronique Louwagie (Trade and SMEs) met with employers and representatives of Medef, Afep, CPME and U2P to discuss the 2026 budget proposal, US customs duties, European competitiveness and the simplification project.

This "Business Council," a new dialogue tool that met for the first time in April, "allows us to engage with business representatives at a difficult time for our economy," said Éric Lombard before the meeting began. He cited "very strong competition from all countries," particularly the United States and China, and the European Union's "difficult" negotiations with Washington, which is threatening to impose 30% tariffs on the bloc on August 1.

"This is why, in the budget the Prime Minister presented last week, it is absolutely essential to protect businesses, not to increase taxes, not to increase the burden on them. Because competitiveness is the best way to develop our economy, to continue creating jobs and protecting the future," argued Éric Lombard.

On July 15, Prime Minister François Bayrou unveiled a public finance recovery plan that includes a budgetary effort of €43.8 billion in 2026. This draft budget, if adopted by Parliament, will involve a "blank year" of freezing social benefits and pensions, a freeze on non-defense budgetary spending, and notably the elimination of two public holidays.