Trade restrictions: Paris raises Algeria issue with EU, Algiers denies any restrictions

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot raised on 12 October 2026 with his EU counterparts restrictions that Paris says target French products in Algeria. Diplomats cited by Reuters said Algeria denied the measures, while the French foreign ministry said it had received no notification and would remain vigilant. French exports to Algeria fell about 12% in 2025 to €4.2 billion and declined again during the first eight months of 2026. French imports from Algeria, mainly oil and gas, dropped 18% in 2025 to €5.1 billion.