For the past six months, Alexandre Saubot, the president of France Industrie (the main lobby that represents industrial companies in France) and director general of the Haulotte group (which specializes in the manufacture of lifting equipment such as aerial platforms and forklifts), has not hidden his concern when asked about the commercial tariffs introduced by the United States. "We are only at the very beginning of a major global upheaval, and it is still too early to anticipate all the consequences for French companies," he explained at the end of September. Ever since the "Liberation Day" declared on April 2 by US President Donald Trump, many economic players like Saubot have been moving forward in the dark.

In just six months, the tariff war has fluctuated in intensity several times, along with many jolts for companies to adapt to: Trump launched the "war" on April 2 with tariffs of 20% for French exporters, which was reduced to 10% on April 9 for a period of 90 days before eventually being raised again to 15% in August for most products (after a threat of 30% in July). Steel and aluminum were given special treatment from the outset, with taxes of +50%, as was the automotive sector (+25%).

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