Macron considers the strategy of yielding to the US to be detrimental to Europe

French President Emmanuel Macron/WEF PHOTO via Wikimedia Commons

JAKARTA - French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the EU's strategy of choosing to yield to the United States in the face of aggressive actions did not produce results and risked weakening Europe's position on the global stage.

In an interview with a number of European media published on Tuesday, February 10, Macron confirmed that he had never belittled the US, but judged that an excessive compromise approach to Washington's pressure was not an effective step.

"I have never insulted the US, its people, or its leadership, never. I also don't mock it, because I believe the US is a very big democracy. This is not a strategy," he said, quoted by ANTARA from Sputnik.

According to Macron, Europe could "fall behind" in the next five years if it does not immediately take decisive action to protect its strategic interests. He highlighted setbacks in a number of important sectors such as the chemical, machine tool, and automotive industries.

Macron described the current situation as a double crisis, namely the huge trade pressure from China as well as policy instability from the United States, which he said put Europe in a difficult position.

"In reality, we are facing a double crisis: the trade tsunami from China and the immediate instability from the American side... We have to ask ourselves if we want to be spectators or actors," Macron said.

He emphasized that Europe must choose to be the main actor, not just a spectator in the global dynamics. A passive attitude, he said, is the same as "voluntarily surrendering" to the pressure of the world's great powers.

Macron also called the issue of Greenland a geopolitical turning point that made European countries aware of the real threat to regional stability and their strategic interests.

"I think we are now at a point I would call the 'Greenland moment.' It certainly makes it clear to Europeans that the threat is there," he said.

Regarding the Ukraine conflict, Macron emphasized that Europe must be directly involved in any settlement negotiations, in order to safeguard its own interests. He added that this responsibility cannot be completely handed over to other parties, including the United States.

In January, media reported that Macron refused to join the Peace Council initiative proposed by US President Donald Trump. Trump then threatened to impose high tariffs on French wine and champagne products, a threat that the Elysee Palace said was unacceptable.