France to announce record foreign investment at Macron’s annual summit — Bloomberg

Bloomberg says that French President Emmanuel Macron will report 37 billion euros ($41.1 billion) in foreign investment during the annual meeting with business leaders. His goal is to improve investor sentiment as the country’s anemic economic expansion is facing damage from US trade duties. 

The projects are to be announced on May 19 at the “Choose France” summit launched by Macron seven years ago in an attempt to re-industrialize the country. French Finance Minister Eric Lombard pointed out that the total investment would set a record for the event. 

The summit is held in a difficult moment for France’s economy, which is dealing with a government budget deficit and slow growth. Paused Donald Trump’s tariffs on the EU dimmed the region’s economic outlook. 

Data from consulting firm EY showed a decline in foreign investment to Europe in 2024. Yet, France retained its top spot, despite the drop in the annual number of projects.

According to EY’s measures, overseas money is creating fewer jobs on the continent. France’s unemployment rate has held steady at 7.4% over the past year.