The French president has suggested that the EU should consider capping value added tax on fuel to help countries deal with surging oil prices.
Nicolas Sarkozy warned there was no sign the oil price would dip and urged EU member states to consider his idea.
Fishermen across France are continuing to blockade ports and fuel depots in protest at rising diesel costs.
Mr Sarkozy said France, due to hold the EU's rotating presidency from July, was not alone in suffering high fuel costs.
Fighting inflation
"If the barrel continues to rise, must we maintain a VAT rate that is proportional to the price in the same conditions?" Mr Sarkozy said in an interview with French radio station RTL.
French consumers pay almost 20% VAT on the price of oil, which has risen to more than $130 (£65; 82 euros) per barrel.
The question of taxes comes up very often but still we have doubts if it is the best way to react in these cases
Maria Assimakopoulou
EU taxation spokeswoman
UK lorry fuel price demo hits roads
Mr Sarkozy has indicated that he would like the sales tax brackets within the EU to be reviewed.
"Naturally, I can't decide it on my own," he said. "But I gather that France is not the only country confronted by the rise in the price of oil."
In Spain's north-eastern ports of Barcelona, Rosas and Port de la Selva, some 350 fishermen went on strike, mirroring the wider protests in France.
Meanwhile, in the UK, some 300 lorry drivers demanding a fuel tax rebate blocked a major route into the capital during the morning rush hour in protest.
Fishermen in Portugal and Belgium are also reported to be planning protests and Italy's Federation of Fishing Co-operatives is due to meet on Wednesday to discuss possible strike action.
The EU said such proposals would not be the best way to respond to high energy prices.
Commission taxation spokeswoman Maria Assimakopoulou said any change to the way VAT was calculated on fuel would need a proposal by the EU executive and a unanimous vote by member states.
"The question of taxes comes up very often but still we have doubts if it is the best way to react in these cases," she told Reuters.
A commission spokesman on energy said the best way to offset increased fuel costs would be to enable the fishing industry to pass on the increases to consumers.
Sarkozy suggests cap on fuel tax
The French president has suggested that the EU should consider capping value added tax on fuel to help countries deal with surging oil prices.
Nicolas Sarkozy warned there was no sign the oil price would dip and urged EU member states to consider his idea.
Fishermen across France are continuing to blockade ports and fuel depots in protest at rising diesel costs.
Mr Sarkozy said France, due to hold the EU's rotating presidency from July, was not alone in suffering high fuel costs.
Fighting inflation
"If the barrel continues to rise, must we maintain a VAT rate that is proportional to the price in the same conditions?" Mr Sarkozy said in an interview with French radio station RTL.
French consumers pay almost 20% VAT on the price of oil, which has risen to more than $130 (£65; 82 euros) per barrel.
The question of taxes comes up very often but still we have doubts if it is the best way to react in these cases
Maria Assimakopoulou
EU taxation spokeswoman
UK lorry fuel price demo hits roads
Mr Sarkozy has indicated that he would like the sales tax brackets within the EU to be reviewed.
"Naturally, I can't decide it on my own," he said. "But I gather that France is not the only country confronted by the rise in the price of oil."
In Spain's north-eastern ports of Barcelona, Rosas and Port de la Selva, some 350 fishermen went on strike, mirroring the wider protests in France.
Meanwhile, in the UK, some 300 lorry drivers demanding a fuel tax rebate blocked a major route into the capital during the morning rush hour in protest.
Fishermen in Portugal and Belgium are also reported to be planning protests and Italy's Federation of Fishing Co-operatives is due to meet on Wednesday to discuss possible strike action.
The EU said such proposals would not be the best way to respond to high energy prices.
Commission taxation spokeswoman Maria Assimakopoulou said any change to the way VAT was calculated on fuel would need a proposal by the EU executive and a unanimous vote by member states.
"The question of taxes comes up very often but still we have doubts if it is the best way to react in these cases," she told Reuters.
A commission spokesman on energy said the best way to offset increased fuel costs would be to enable the fishing industry to pass on the increases to consumers.
