France’s Macron defends controversial comments on being US ally amid Chinese aggression toward Taiwan

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday defended controversial comments he made during his visit to China last week regarding Europe’s ties with the US as it relates to rising tensions with Beijing over Taiwan.

In a press conference from the Netherlands, Macron told reporters that “being an ally does not mean being a vassal,” adding that “it doesn’t mean we don’t have the right to think for ourselves.”

According to DW, “France is in favor of the status quo in Taiwan” and “a peaceful solution to the situation”, he said, after pushback he has received over his comments that suggested Europeans should be “followers” of the US. ” Should not happen

Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron talk in the garden of the residence of the governor of Guangdong province in Guangzhou, China, Friday, April 7, 2023. (Jacques Witt, Poole via AP)

France’s Macron sparks angry protests during speech in Netherlands, a day after Taiwan sparked outrage

On Monday, Macron raised international eyebrows after he quoted from a Friday interview, saying, “The question we need to answer as Europeans is the following: is it in our interest to accelerate Is [a crisis] on Taiwan? No.”

“The worst thing would be to think that we Europeans should follow suit on this subject and take our cues from the US agenda and China’s overreaction,” he said.

The Biden administration has been silent in response to the French president’s comments during his visit to China – a country listed as America’s top adversary and the main threat across the spectrum.

But Republicans on and off the Hill have outwardly condemned the comments, including GOP 2024 presidential candidate Donald Trump, who said, “Macron, who’s a friend of mine, is over with China, kissing his one–,” in reference to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Beijing on April 6, 2023. (Laurent Fivet, Ng Han Guan / Pool / AFP via Getty Images)

Macron responded to the former president’s comments and denounced them as provocative.

“France does not support provocations, does not engage in imaginary politics and respects the status quo, respect and clarity are the best allies of European strategic autonomy,” Macron said.

France’s economy minister assures the US that its oldest ally is not ignoring them with China’s offer

Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz also took to Twitter and blasted President Biden for the controversial comments in a tweet on Wednesday, calling them “amazing”.

“Even Europe’s left-wing leaders — whom Biden has diligently bowed to (and as a result — kissed) — are openly screwing America,” he said. “Serious Question: Could Biden Possibly Make Foreign Policy Worse?”

Macron has repeatedly found himself in the hot seat in recent weeks, not only when it comes to geopolitics, but also with domestic issues.

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks before a meeting with Portugal’s Prime Minister Antonio Costa at the Elysee Palace in Paris on June 7. (AP/Francois Mori)

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France has seen weeks of nationwide protests, which have at times turned violent, over a controversial change to the country’s pension program pushed by Macron and his government.

Macron has defended raising the retirement age from 62 to 64, claiming it is necessary to prevent the social security program from failing.