France spearheading strategy of European defiance against Trump’s America
By Abed Akbari
International affairs expert
Under the leadership of Emmanuel Macron, France has championed the vision of Europe becoming an independent bloc, distancing itself from trade rivals like China and the United States in areas ranging from defense and security to advanced technologies. Trump’s victory offers Macron a new “raison d’être,” particularly in matters of trade and security. Yet, Macron was one of the first European leaders to congratulate Trump after his win, even as he prepared for a speech at a European summit in Hungary, calling for a strong and unified European response to the US election. This dual approach reflects the uncertain future of France-US relations, as France seeks to assert its interests robustly.
After the Hungary summit, Macron, disheartened by Europe’s lukewarm reaction, announced plans to work with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for a more unified Europe. However, considering Germany’s internal fragmentation, this goal seems ambitious at best.
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