PARIS: French Economy Minister Arnaud Montebourg said on Sunday a US penalty on BNP Paribas bank for sanctions busting, due to be announced on Monday, should be "fair and proportionate".
France's largest bank is expected to be hit with a record $9 billion (6.4 billion euro) fine and admit its guilt for years of dealing with US-blacklisted Sudan and Iran, in a case that has strained ties between Paris and Washington.
"We have the right to demand a certain balance," Montebourg told the BFM television station.
He reiterated a threat by foreign minister Laurent Fabius earlier in June that the penalty could hurt negotiations on a mega transatlantic trade deal underway between the EU and the United States.
"When it comes to the transatlantic treaty, negotiation will become tougher," the minister said.
France's largest bank is accused of breaching US sanctions against Iran, Sudan and Cuba between 2002 and 2009 by handling $30 billion worth of dollar transactions with them.
The bank is accused of deliberately hiding the transactions to avoid US detection. The New York Times reported on Friday the fine would be a record $8.9 billion and part of a deal in which BNP would plead guilty.
The penalty comes after months of haggling which saw US President Barack Obama step in to lighten the punishment.
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