As tensions rise between the United States and China, particularly over Taiwan, French President Emmanuel Macron stresses the importance of Europe's strategic autonomy. During an interview on his plane returning from a three-day state visit to China on April 9, Macron urged Europe to reduce its dependency on the U.S. and avoid being dragged into a confrontation between the two superpowers.

Macron questioned the wisdom of Europe accelerating a crisis on Taiwan, stating, “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.”

"Being an ally does not mean being a vassal... doesn't mean that we don't have the right to think for ourselves,"  Macron stated during a press conference on April 12 in Amsterdam, which marked the conclusion of his state visit to the Netherlands.

He emphasized that Europe cannot resolve the crisis in Ukraine, and therefore, lacks credibility in warning China over Taiwan, adding, "If you really want to increase tensions, that's the way to do it.”

China's Foreign Ministry, in response to Macron's comments, reiterated its position on the Taiwan issue as an internal affair and urged all parties to adhere to the one-China principle while opposing "Taiwan independence" separatist activities. Furthermore, the ministry expressed that it is unsurprised by the criticism President Macron's views have received, especially from the United States. China highlighted the importance of strategic autonomy in winning more respect and friends, while coercion and pressure would only result in more resistance and opposition.

Macron's statements echo the long-established French foreign policy that stresses French autonomy and accentuates mounting European apprehensions about becoming entangled in a conflict between China and the United States. However, the timing of these comments has been questioned by numerous analysts and politicians, given Washington's substantial contributions to European security through its support for Ukraine and the significance of maintaining Western solidarity.

On Wednesday, a senior politician from Germany's ruling Social Democratic Party (SPD) expressed approval of Macron's call for the European Union to gain greater independence from the U.S. In relation to the Taiwan issue, Rolf Muetzenich, parliamentary group leader of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's SPD, told public broadcaster ARD that Europe "must indeed strive to establish an independent role, if possible, and not be perceived as a mere extension of the United States in the region."

Pascal Confavreux, spokesperson for the French Embassy in the United States, stated that Macron's comments had been over-interpreted. He reiterated that France is not equidistant between the United States and China, emphasizing that the U.S. is an ally and that the two countries share common values.

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