| Just days after threatening trading partners including France with a blizzard of tariffs, Donald Trump has ramped up his support for far-right leader Marine Le Pen. In a post on Truth Social, he called her conviction for embezzlement and five-year election ban a “witch hunt” led by “leftists” — similar rhetoric to that used by Elon Musk earlier this week. This is not a huge surprise. Le Pen taps into similar economic and social grievances as Trump’s MAGA base, even if her broader policy stance tends to be cut from a more statist cloth. In the hours that followed the court ruling, she seemed to take a distinctly more Trumpian tone, clearly hoping to mimic his strategy of turning legal defeats into a martyrdom that would energize fans. Polls after the verdict showed no drop-off in support for Le Pen or her No. 2 Jordan Bardella.  Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella. Photographer: Benjamin Girette/Bloomberg But the reality of Trump’s trade war is likely to complicate Le Pen’s culture war. A poll published Thursday showed over 80% of French people thought the tariff war was bad for the world and that almost two-thirds thought Europe had to respond just as firmly to the US. More than half accepted the idea of taxing foreign goods more even at the risk of paying more at the checkout. This rally-round-the-flag effect was seen across the political spectrum, from far-right to far-left. The rhetoric from Le Pen’s Rassemblement National seems to reflect this. Bardella is openly pushing Brussels for a “riposte” against Trump’s tariffs, including targeting the Big Tech platforms beloved by Trump and Musk, and calling on leaders to defend the interests of France and Europe. He even took a pot shot at Trump’s targeting of Saint Pierre et Miquelon with a 50% tariff, asking why the world’s biggest economy felt so threatened by a tiny amount of lobster exports. While Emmanuel Macron’s far-right rivals try to walk a fine line between emulating Trump and confronting him, the president has his own challenges. While he would seem to have the power to deliver the kind of riposte the French want, his credibility as a leader has been sapped since last year’s snap elections and stretched public finances have limited his room for maneuver. Still, for now, he has Trump to thank for creating unity in the French public – against tariffs. France and Germany are pushing for a stronger response to Trump’s tariff measures, advocating for a forceful retaliation that could strengthen the EU’s negotiating position. CEOs and bankers view the US as a chillier market to do business with – and not just because of tariffs. Finance Minister Eric Lombard ruled out further spending cuts to meet its deficit reduction target if a trade war hammers the economy. Stellantis NV is temporarily halting work at factories in Canada and Mexico as US tariffs begin to impact operations across the automotive industry. Credit Agricole SA asset manager Amundi SA’s sales agreement with UniCredit SA is being reviewed and could end amid a growing rift over the Italian lender’s takeover bid for a smaller domestic rival. Marine Le Pen’s legal fate rests on an attorney who also serves as deputy mayor of a town in the Pyrenees.  Rodolphe Bosselut, Le Pen’s attorney. Photographer: Alexis Jumeau/Getty Images The Michelin guide has unveiled its 2025 restaurant rankings for France, with the number of three-star dining rooms increasing to 31 from 30 last year. Sunday: Macron visit to Egypt Tuesday: Feb trade and current account balance Friday: Moody’s scheduled rating update The humble croissant is being transformed by New Yorkers into everything from Sicilian pizza to Dubai-style chocolate bars – and of course cronuts. Tariffs may make the treats harder to swallow.  When did everything become a croissant in New York? Photographer: Melissa Hom for Bloomberg Pursuits | 
