(Bloomberg) -- Emmanuel Macron's economic agenda is starting to take shape.
With his approval ratings falling below 40 percent amid criticism that he is too aloof, the French president is looking to chalk up wins and recover some of the glow of his stunning election victory three months ago.
The 39-year-old former investment banker has already showed his willingness to protect jobs by embracing old-fashioned state interventionism after he blocked an Italian takeover of a French shipyard last month.
As Bloomberg's interview today with his finance minister, Bruno Le Maire, reveals, Macron also wants to crack down on tax avoidance by Google, lure investment by cutting corporate tax rates and reform the architecture that supports the euro currency.
Germany is central to Macron's strategy, but the question is whether his mission to woo Angela Merkel will alienate other European partners. He has already upset Italy, and Le Maire's comments about tech giants and corporate taxes may leave the Irish feeling uncomfortable as well.
Le Maire counters that it's time for Europe to stand up for itself after years of introspection.
“Europe must learn to defend its economic interests,” he said. With business confidence at a six-year high, executives seem to agree with him.
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