France Challenges US Superpower Status
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
BEIJING/PARIS (Worthy News) – France’s president lashed out at a U.S.-led free world on Sunday, saying Europe must reduce its dependence on the United States.
In his most critical remarks on America’s superpower status on record, Emmanuel Macron spoke of a “strategic autonomy” for Europe, presumably led by France, to become a “third superpower.”
Macron made the remarks on his flight back from China, where he met China’s President Xi Jinping to discuss cooperation and ways to end the war in Ukraine.
The French president also said in comments published on Sunday that Europe had no interest in accelerating the crisis over Taiwan and should pursue a strategy independent of both Washington and Beijing.
China views democratically governed Taiwan as its territory, while the U.S. has made clear it will protect the island against Chinese attacks.
France’s comments came amid mounting concerns in Europe that it could be dragged into a Chinese-U.S. conflict over Taiwan at a time when it already faces war in Ukraine.
However, “The worst thing would be to think that we Europeans must become followers on this topic and adapt to the American rhythm or a Chinese overreaction,” Macron told reporters on his flight back from China.
DEFENSE INDUSTRY
He also stressed that Europe must better fund its defense industry, develop nuclear and renewable energy and reduce dependence on the U.S. dollar.
The measures, he said, would help to limit its reliance on the United States, Macron added.
He spoke as China held military drills around Taiwan in response to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s meeting with the U.S. House of Representatives speaker, Kevin McCarthy, last week.
Macron traveled to China with a 50-strong business delegation, including Airbus and nuclear energy producer EDF, which signed deals during the visit.
The trip underscored French efforts to maintain business ties with Communist-run China despite the European Union’s expressed concerns over Beijing’s human rights record.
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