With LVMH and Total in the viewfinder, the Minister of the Economy « calls for patriotism of the bosses » – Liberation
The big bosses groan, the Minister of the Economy increases the tone. On the front page of La Tribune on Sunday This day, it is an Eric Lombard raised that urges business leaders not to give in to the temptation of everyone for themselves at the time of economic chaos caused by the United States. « I call the patriotism of the bosses », even claims the Minister of Economy on a large title.
A heavy word that says a lot about government’s nervousness in the face of criticism from CAC40 CEOs, especially Bernard Arnault (LVMH) and Patrick Pouyanné (Totalenergies), who have both criticized in recent days an excess of standards and taxes and being able to hear, what a surprise, that they would choose their profits rather than national and European solidarity if economic war should be turned even more.
Faced with the threats of relocation of Bernard Arnault, who thus said Thursday that LVMH would plan to increase its production in the United States If negotiations on customs duties failed with the EU, Eric Lombard warns: « Perhaps this or that company would take advantage of it individually-which I doubt. But all of Europe would be losing. And its economic fabric too. » By the way, the minister takes the opportunity to recall the gifts already made to companies by the successive governments of Emmanuel Macron since 2017 – lower corporate tax, flat tax, surcharge limited to one year for large companies -, that can hardly be considered hostile to businesses.
Not sure that it will be enough to change the ultra-liberal compass of these big bosses when the time comes. In a particularly complacent interview published Thursday in Le Figaro, Total CEO, which has brandished the threat of moving the listing of the company in the United States, Rangeed on the side of Bernard Arnault in his complaint against a supposed taxation too high which « Bride les entrepreneurs ». « The country’s living forces are too taxed », plague Patrick Pouyanne from the top of Its $ 15.8 billion in profits in 2024. All shame drums, the CEO of totalnergies even went so far as to claim cuts in the redistribution system, advising « To put certain social budgets flat ». A certain idea of patriotism.
