French President, Emmanuel Macron has urged Europe to strive towards becoming a third superpower by reducing its dependency on the US.
He also urged Europe not to interfere in the conflict between China and Taiwan.
According to him, it will be a great risk for Europe to get caught up in the conflict as it has no impact on Europe in the first place.
He referred to Europe as mere followers of the US. He said; “The paradox would be that, overcome with panic, we believe we are just America’s followers. The question Europeans need to answer ‘ Is it in our interest to accelerate [a crisis] on Taiwan’ No.
The worse thing would be to think that we Europeans must become followers on this topic and take our cue from the U.S. agenda and a Chinese overreaction”
The President raised concerns about the high dependence on the US for weapons and energy and the need for the continent to be more self-reliant and increased focus on boosting its indigenous Defence industry.
Speaking on the effects of a possible escalation of US and China tension on Europe, Macron said “If the tensions between the two superpowers (US and China) heat up, we won’t have the time nor the resources to finance our strategic autonomy and we will become vassals.” Hence the call for Europe to become the third superpower.
Photo: AP News
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