French President Macron says US trade actions are threats and intimidation

French President Emmanuel Macron has urged European Union leaders to take steps to strengthen the bloc’s economic resilience in the face of growing tensions with the United States and China.

In an interview published on Tuesday, Macron emphasized that recent lulls in US threats against European allies should not be seen as a lasting shift in Washington’s position. He noted that the Trump administration has been “openly anti-European” and is seeking to undermine the EU’s interests.

Macron referred to this situation as a “Greenland moment,” where threats and intimidation are followed by a temporary pause, only to resume again. He warned that Europeans should not underestimate the US threat, citing ongoing daily threats against Europe and potential future moves such as American import tariffs if the EU regulates US tech giants.

In advance of an upcoming EU meeting on competitiveness, Macron advocated for simplifying and deepening the EU’s single market, diversifying trade partnerships, and increasing resilience in the face of challenges from the US and China. He emphasized that the economic strategy to secure European power lies in protection, which is not protectionism but rather a preference for European interests.

Macron also renewed his call for the EU to embark on more common borrowing to help the bloc invest at scale and challenge the hegemony of the US dollar. France has championed this concept for years, but other countries have yet to adopt it.

The French president’s comments come as tensions between the US and European allies remain high, with ongoing disputes over issues such as trade, security, and digital regulation.

Source: Al Jazeera