French President Emmanuel Macron believes Europe should not be a “follower” of the United States or China now that there are tensions between the two superpowers over Taiwan’s stance. He says so in a conversation with the French business magazine Les Echos. He also stressed that the European Union risks being involved in “crises that are not ours”.
China considers democratic Taiwan part of its territory and has promised to take it one day, by force or otherwise. Last week, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen met with US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California. Outraged, Beijing immediately conducted military exercises across the island.
Strategic autonomy
“The worst thing would be to think that we Europeans are followers and have to adapt to the American rhythm or a Chinese overreaction,” Macron said on Friday, returning from a three-day state visit to China. He stressed the importance of the EU’s “strategic autonomy”: “Whether it is Ukraine, relations with China or sanctions, we have a European strategy.” And: “We don’t want to end up in a block-by-block logic”.
The emergence of Europe as an independent actor has been a goal of Macron for many years, exemplified by French President Charles de Gaulle (1959-1969), who saw France as a balancing force between the two superpowers of his time, the United States and the United States Soviet Union.
Macron will be in the Netherlands with his wife Brigitte on Tuesday and Wednesday. They will meet, among others, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima and Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
