Information
French President Emmanuel Macron warned that Europe is facing a deep political and economic crisis and risks being left behind by the United States and China. In interviews ahead of an EU leaders’ summit, he described intense pressure from Chinese trade competition and unpredictable American policies as a major shock for Europe. He called this situation a “Greenland moment,” urging EU leaders to treat it as a wake-up call to push through long-delayed reforms and reduce dependence on external powers.
Macron also cautioned against complacency in relations with the United States, saying that temporary pauses in tensions should not be mistaken for stability. He pointed to ongoing threats, particularly over technology, pharmaceuticals, and potential tariffs linked to the EU’s Digital Services Act. Arguing that compromise has increased Europe’s dependence, he advocated a firmer stance and promoted France’s “Made in Europe” strategy, which favors European-made products. While this approach has divided member states and worried some industries, Macron framed it as necessary “European preference” to strengthen the bloc’s economic independence.
Source: AFP, Reuters
So What
Like Carney’s speech a few weeks ago, this signals that France is seeking to build a Western bloc more independent of U.S. influence in order to avoid the kind of political and economic pressure that has become increasingly common. While such a shift would likely benefit Europe in the long term, it would be costly and slow to implement, requiring major investment and politically difficult trade-offs that could force sacrifices in other areas. At the same time, the strategy would probably provoke a negative reaction from the United States, particularly from Trump, who would be likely to take steps to counter or undermine it.
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