French President Emmanuel Macron said the European Union could be threatened by rivalry from the US, Russia and China if it does not achieve “strategic autonomy.” He called for a “credible” EU defense strategy. Macron defense warning underscores the urgent need for stronger defenses in Europe.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday called for the establishment of a “more united, sovereign and democratic” Europe in the face of numerous geopolitical and economic challenges.
He made the comments during a speech at Paris’ Sorbonne University.
Furthermore, it highlights the need for a unified response to external challenges. With a blend of urgency and resolve, Macron calls for bolstering Europe’s defenses against emerging threats.
“We need to be clear on the fact that our Europe is mortal — it can die,” Macron said.
He said the bloc’s survival “depends only on our choices.” He warned that “the rules of the game” had changed and the EU was not “armed against the risks we face.”
The French president advocates for the EU’s geopolitical unity amid rivalry from the US and China. He strongly backs Brussels’ pursuit of “strategic autonomy.”
On Thursday, Macron accused Washington and Beijing of deciding “to stop respecting the rules of trade,” citing the US Inflation Reduction Act. He said such policies could bring about the “impoverishment” of Europe.
Europe “must show that it is never a vassal of the United States and that it also knows how to talk to all the other regions of the world,” Macron said.
Moreover, they explore avenues for closer cooperation in defense procurement and military operations.
Macron defense warning prompts a sober assessment of Europe’s vulnerabilities in an increasingly uncertain world. Consequently, it prompts discussions about the role of NATO and the European Union in ensuring collective security.
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