Beautiful Virgin Islands

Sunday, May 18, 2025

Je ne regrette rien: Macron defends his comments on not being US ‘vassal’ over Taiwan

Je ne regrette rien: Macron defends his comments on not being US ‘vassal’ over Taiwan

France has no lessons to learn from anyone, the president said.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday insisted that France's dispatch of a frigate to Taiwan showed its commitment to regional security, but doubled down on his remarks that France would not act as a "vassal" by following U.S. hardliners into a conflict over the democratic island.

"Being allies doesn't mean being vassals ... Just because we are allies, just because we do things together that we decide to do, doesn't mean that we don't have the right to think on our own and that we will follow the most extreme people in a country that is allied with us," Macron said during a joint press conference with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on a visit to the Netherlands.

"When we look at the facts, France has no lessons to learn from anyone, not in the Ukrainian theater, nor the Sahel theater, nor the Taiwan theater," Macron said.

His comments come after he told POLITICO and the French newspaper Les Echos that Europe should avoid being ensnared in conflicts that were not its affair, and should not act as "followers" of the U.S. when it came to the defense of Taiwan. His remarks triggered deep concern over the transatlantic alliance just as the U.S. is providing the lion's share of military assistance to Ukraine, and Communist China is making increasing bellicose moves on Taiwan.

China considers the island part of its territory, a claim rejected by Taipei. “The paradox would be that, overcome with panic, we believe we are just America’s followers,” Macron said in the interview.

Answering repeated questions on these comments, the French president said his position was "very clear" and argued that his comment didn't trigger a backlash from the White House.

"The position of France and the Europeans is the same on Taiwan. We are in favor of the status quo and this policy is constant, it has not changed, it is the One China policy and the search for a peaceful settlement of the issue," Macron said, noting that "this position has always been compatible with the role of allies."

While defending Macron, France's Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire on Wednesday accused Washington of applying double standards when it comes to trade with China.

"Some, for example in the United States, say that we should completely decouple Western economies, American or European, from the Chinese economy. What I see is that the volume of trade between China and the United States has never been so high .... we are asking Europe to give up trade that has increased between the United States and China. We don't want to be the village idiots, who get screwed and let other powers trade with China while we would no longer have the right to do so."

Le Maire declined to respond to reporters asking him whether he would visit Taiwan, if invited.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
U.S. and Philippine Forces Test High-Powered Microwave Weapons in Joint Exercise
China Unveils Advanced AI Surveillance Tools at 12th Police Equipment Expo
Japan's Three Major Banks Report Record High Net Profits for Second Consecutive Year
The Chinese Dragon: The True Winner in the India-Pakistan Clash
US and EU Make Progress in Trade Talks, While Vietnam Negotiations Also Advance
Sean 'Diddy' Combs Trial: Ex-Girlfriend Cassie Ventura Testifies About Alleged Abuse
Former Wales Rugby Star Jamie Roberts to Pursue Medical Career
Australia's Venomous Creatures Contribute to Life-Saving Antivenom Programme
Passenger Travels Under Wrong Identity on British Airways Flight
Former FBI Director James Comey Questioned by Secret Service Over Social Media Post
The Spanish Were Right: Long Working Hours Harm Brain Function
After 108 Years: Moody’s Downgrades U.S. Credit Rating
Did Former FBI Director Call for Violence Against Trump? Instagram Post Sparks Uproar
US and UAE Partner to Develop Massive AI Data Center Complex
Russia and Ukraine Hold First Direct Peace Talks in Three Years — But No Breakthrough Yet
Apple's $95 Million Siri Settlement: Eligible Users Have Until July 2 to File Claims
US and UAE Reach Preliminary Agreement on Nvidia AI Chip Imports
KREMLIN has just approved Senator ALEXANDER " THE EXPERIMENT" KARELIN, of Novosibrisk, as Chief Negotiator at the Meeting in ISTANBUL with Ukraine & USA.
Shocking Footage Released: Diddy Caught Dragging Cassie in Brutal Hotel Hallway Assault
Starlink Now Profitable: SpaceX Hits Major Milestone with $11.8 Billion in Revenue
Portuguese Right-Wing Leader Collapses During Campaign Rally
A Pakistani imam in Italy gave a sermon stating that every Muslim should fight the infidels or face ‘catastrophic consequences’.
President Trump and Elon Musk Welcomed by Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim with Cybertruck Convoy
EU Court Orders Disclosure of von der Leyen’s Texts with Pfizer CEO Over €35 Billion Vaccine Deal
Strong Warning Issued: Do Not Use General Chatbots for Medical, Legal, or Educational Guidance
Saudi Arabia Emerges as Global Tech Magnet with U.S. Backing and Trump’s Visit
Mexican Influencer Valeria Márquez Killed During Livestream in Suspected Femicide
This man went to take $5,000 out his own bank account and was arrested for it
This was President's departure from Saudi Arabia. The Crown Prince personally escorted him back to the airport.
CIA Files Reveal Klaus Barbie's Role in Bolivian Drug Trade and Dictatorship Support
Daughter of crypto boss escapes Paris kidnap in latest in series of attacks
U.S. FDA to Remove Oral Fluoride Supplements for Children Amid Gut Health Concerns
Kim Kardashian Testifies in Paris Robbery Trial, Tells Gang Leader: 'I Forgive You'
NVIDIA and Saudi Arabia Launch Strategic Partnership to Establish AI Centers
Challenges Facing EU Foreign Policy Amidst Diverging Interests
Reports Reveal Alarming Cognitive Decline in Biden Prior to Election Withdrawal
Trump Meets Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara in Historic Encounter
South Africans chant call to genocide against White people.
Trump takes a blow torch to the neocons and interventionists while speaking to the Saudis
Why Saudi Arabia Rolled Out a Purple Carpet for Donald Trump Instead of Red
Flip flop: UK Introduces New Immigration Policy to Reduce Net Migration
Elon Musk Joins Trump Meeting in Saudi Arabia
Poland Tightens Immigration Policy with New Plan to Suspend Asylum Law
Trump says it would be 'stupid' not to accept gift of Qatari plane
8-Year-Old Orders 70,000 Lollipops Using Mother’s Phone, Prompting $4,200 Amazon Bill and Viral Facebook Plea
Quantum Computing Threatens Bitcoin Security
American citizens account for 70% of worldwide pharmaceutical sales despite comprising only 4% of global population
New Details Emerge on Syrian Attacker's Motives in German Festival Stabbing
Brazil’s President Aims to Strengthen Ties with China Amid US Trade Tensions
Senate Democrats Move to Censure Trump Over Qatar Jet Gift
×