A threat for some, an opportunity for others. Depending on the field of activity in which they operate, Breton companies view the re-election of Donald Trump, inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, in a different light. Champion of protectionism, the billionaire businessman proposed, during his campaign, to impose customs duties of 60% on products coming from China, 25% on those coming from Mexico and Canada, and 10 to 20% on imports from the rest of the world.
Bluff or real threat? It is still too early to say but the question does not leave one indifferent in Brittany, where, last year, 700 million euros of exports were made to the United States, or 5.5% of exports. from the region to abroad. “Mainly in industry (electrical equipment, chemicals, plastics, boilermaking, etc.) and, for a little over 100 million euros, in the agri-food industry,” explains Annie Berthelot, general director of Bretagne commerce international. The vitality of economic exchanges between Armorica and North America can also be measured, in the other direction, by the 135 American companies which have chosen to invest and establish themselves in Brittany.
Price impact
“If Donald Trump's protectionist measures come to fruition, Breton industry could face significant challenges in agriculture, agricultural machinery, fishing, milk, etc. », Estimates Nicholas Beaty, Franco-American coordinator of the World Trade Center Rennes Bretagne.
Boutique de France, an entity which combines the Gonidec and Hénaff canneries for export, is waiting to see if Trump will increase taxes. “If he does so, it will affect the final price of Breton terrines and pâtés offered on the American market, with a possible impact on our sales,” concedes Caroline Guivarc'h, development director of Hénaff.
Sill Entreprises (Primel Gastronomie, Terre d'embruns, Malo, etc.), which has just opened a subsidiary in Houston (Texas), is banking on quality to impose its frozen dishes, puff pastries and dairy products in Uncle Sam's country. “We are not in a price logic,” explains Sébastien Floc’h, general director of the group.
-For Charles Kergavarat, founder of the Breizh Amerika association, it is the differentiation of the product, and long-term work, which determine success across the Atlantic. “Like, for more than 20 years, that of the Le Duff group (Brioche Dorée, Bridor, etc.)”.
The difference winning bet
In fact, Breton entrepreneurs are leveraging their little bit of technology to make a difference, whatever the customs barriers. This is the case of Stirweld, a Rennes start-up specializing in friction stir welding solutions for industry. “In the United States, reindustrialization and the rise in already high inflation can only increase our sales,” says its CEO, Laurent Dubourg. “Even taxed at 10%, my machines will be 30% less expensive than those of competitors. »
The case, also, of the machinist Emily, based in Tréflévénez (29), who opened, just a month ago, a subsidiary in Toronto (Canada) to overcome some of the regulatory barriers and shorten deadlines. delivery and allow its industrial sweeper for forklifts to penetrate the American market. “Provided that Trump does not blow up the Alena free trade agreement that he has with Canada,” slips Bernard Alégoët, general manager of Emily, who is banking on the practicality of his patented process to make people forget the additional cost customs taxes. “A 10,000 euro machine would cost 12,500 euros,” he illustrates.
France
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