France, July 1 -- With the 9 July deadline fast approaching, the European Union is racing to secure a trade agreement with Washington in a bid to avert steep tariffs on its exports. In an effort to advance the negotiations, EU Trade Chief Maros Šefčovič has travelled to Washington for final talks with President Donald Trump's administration before the deadline expires.

But asŠefčovič prepares for the uphill task of securing a deal with President Donald Trump's administration, tensions are already flaring on the European side - and none more so than from French President Emmanuel Macron, who has sharply criticised aggressive tariff policies as "blackmail."

Speaking at a conference in Seville this week, Macro...