The French trade deficit increased last year due to the Corona pandemic

Paris-Sana

The French authorities announced today that the Corona pandemic has led to an increase in the country's trade balance deficit in 2020 of 7.3 billion euros, compared to the previous year.

The newspaper "Ouest France" quoted French customs as saying in a press release that the French trade deficit last year reached 65.2 billion euros, its highest level since 2012.

The statement pointed out that the deterioration of the trade balance negatively affected the economy and led to a general decline in exports and a decline in the aviation and automobile sectors.

For his part, Minister Plenipotentiary for Foreign Trade Frank Riester said in a separate statement that in line with the effects of the first embargo, the deterioration of French trade was particularly noticeable in the first half of last year.