"It's not over": And here it is, discord in the EU

"They have to respect us. They didn't respect us enough," Macron told the ministers at the meeting of the Council of Ministers, the Brussels-based Politico reports citing a source close to the president.

Europe, Macron assessed, does not yet consider itself a strong enough power, reports BFM TV.

Macron has not been making any public appearances these days after US President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reached an agreement on 15 percent tariffs on most European exports to the US.

Today, for the first time, he reacted to that agreement, and that - with dissatisfaction.

While French Prime Minister François Bayrou criticized the deal, calling it a "dark day" for Europe, Macron pointedly praised European negotiators for protecting the interests of France and the EU.

However, he believes, as he said today, that it is still possible to negotiate better terms.

"The story is not over and we will not stop," Macron said.

The agreement has caused divisions among European leaders. While in Germany and Italy they welcomed the agreement, France "leads the opponents".

The Minister of Trade of France, Laurent Saint-Martin, and the Minister for Europe, Benjamin Haddad, called on the European Commission to use the "Bloc Instrument" (Anti-Coercion Instrument) to fight coercion, in order to limit the access of US companies to EU markets.