Trump tariffs could cut GDP growth by 0.5 pct points, French prime minister says

PARIS, April 5 (Reuters) -

France could see a 0.5 percentage point reduction in gross domestic product growth as a result of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policies, Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said in an interview on Saturday.

"Trump's policies could cost us more than 0.5% of our GDP," Bayrou said, according to excerpts published in an interview with Le Parisien newspaper.

"The imposition of these outrageous tariffs will lead to a global crisis (...). The risk of job losses is significant, as is that of an economic slowdown," he said.

Under Trump's plans announced on Wednesday, France will be subject to a general tariff of 20% along with other European Union countries.

After speaking with Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, President Emmanuel Macron said earlier on Saturday the two countries reaffirmed their determination to "closely coordinate" positions in tariff discussions with Trump.

"A trade war is in no one's interest. We must stand united and resolute to protect our citizens and our businesses," he said in post on X. (Reporting by John Irish and Gilles Guillaume; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Toby Chopra)