Iran sanctions, trade are tests of European sovereignty - Macron's office
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PARIS - The threat of US sanctions on European companies trading with Iran and tariffs on aluminium and steel exports are a test of European sovereignty and will require a firm response, an adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday.
The United States threatened on Sunday to impose sanctions on European companies that do business with Iran, as the remaining participants in the Iran nuclear accord stiffened their resolve to keep that agreement operational.
"It's an important test of sovereignty," the French presidential adviser told reporters in a briefing on Monday. "There must really be a software update on these issues of European assertiveness."
The adviser said French and EU officials were working on different technical and legal issues to preserve existing business ties and financial channels with Iran, and to shield their companies from sanctions.
