After his visit to Chinese President Xi Jinping (left), Emmanuel Macron causes displeasure.Bild: Pool AP / Thibault Camus
EU
Next to the People in his own country, who have been taking to the streets for several weeks now, French President Emmanuel Macron has now also angered his European partners.
The reason: Macron insists on its own European pace in the conflict over Taiwan. Macron has received severe criticism from German politicians with these statements – and politicians at EU level are also irritated.
Macron was in the People’s Republic for a three-day state visit last week.Bild: AP / Thibault Camus
“The worst thing would be to think that we Europeans should be followers on this issue and adapt to the American rhythm and a Chinese overreaction,” he said in a statement published on Sunday Interview the French newspaper “The echoes“.
Macron continued: “Our priority is not to adapt to the agenda of others in all regions of the world.” It would be a trap for the Europeans to be caught in a moment of clarification of their own strategic position in foreign crises. Europe then threatened vassal between the USA and China to be, although one can be a third pole.
CDU politician Röttgen: “Abandoned by all good spirits”
CDU politician Norbert Röttgen finds Twitter clear words for the behavior of the French head of state. He writes: “Macron seems to have lost all good spirits. While the USA Ukraine support and thus defend Europe, he calls for a demarcation from America and a rapprochement with China.” This weakens Macron Europe.
Taiwan go Deutschland and Europe very much – because the island state stands for China’s global claim to power. “A world order based on Chinese ideas is certainly not in Europe’s interest. How is Europe ever supposed to find a common line with such ideas?” asks Röttgen. In an interview with Deutschlandfunk, the CDU politician also explained:
“If we signal to men like Xi & Putin that their aggression is none of our business, conflict becomes more likely. That is not a deterrent, but rather an attraction. That is why Macron’s statements are so irresponsible.”
FDP General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai also mentions Macron’s position on the “Bild” not a smart strategy for Europe. The US and Europe should work closely together. SPD politician Metin Hakverdi told the “daily mirror“: “It is a serious mistake, as the West, to allow itself to be divided when dealing with Beijing, of all things.”
And not only German politics is shaken. Members of the EU Parliament are also venting their anger.
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The chairman of the European People’s Party (EPP), CSU politician Manfred Weber, explains on Twitter: “There is no middle ground between international law and the pursuit of empires by autocrats. In order to protect our freedom, democrats in Ukraine and Taiwan stand together to defend a rules-based world.” The alliance between the US and Europe must be further strengthened.
Miriam Lexmann, also a member of the EPP, made it clear on Twitter: Macron does not speak for the European Union. “But his vanity is deeply damaging to Europe,” she explains. Europe can only get stronger by working with its democratic allies, investing in defense and increasing competitiveness. In addition, the EU must support freedom-loving people worldwide.
Lexmann also explains: “Regardless of whether Macron joined the CP propaganda out of vanity or for domestic political reasons, these images are both disturbing and deeply damaging.” And they are an affront to all who suffer under the CP (Communist Party).
The communist leadership in Beijing regards the independently governed Taiwan as part of the People’s Republic and threatens to conquer it. China is trying to isolate Taiwan internationally and firmly rejects official contacts from other countries to Taiwan.
The Taiwan conflict is a key issue between China and the United States. Washington has been committed to the island’s defense capability since 1979, which has so far mostly meant arms deliveries. Observers fear the dispute could potentially spark a military confrontation between the two world powers.
(With material from the dpa)
