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France seeks to calm diplomatic storm over Macron's comments

2023-04-20 15:27:53, Kosova & Bota CNA

France is trying to play down the diplomatic fallout from President Emmanuel Macron's comments that Europe should reduce its dependence on the United States and avoid "getting involved in crises that are not ours", following a state visit to China earlier this month. Voice of America correspondent Henry Ridgwell reports from London.

French President Emmanuel Macron went to Beijing to seek China's help in ending Russian aggression in Ukraine. China did not express any promise in this regard. But Mr Macron later tweeted: "Long live the friendship between China and France." China described the visit as "successful and positive".

Just days later, the Chinese military conducted live-fire maneuvers around Taiwan – which Beijing claims as part of its territory.

In France, Mr Macron said Europe should formulate its own China policy - rather than follow the path of its transatlantic ally, the United States.

"France is for the 'status quo' in Taiwan. France supports the one-China policy and the search for a peaceful solution to the situation. This is, moreover, the position of the Europeans, and it is a position that has always been consistent with the role of an ally. But this is exactly where I insist on the importance of strategic autonomy. Being an ally does not mean being a vassal."

These comments caused a reaction - especially in Eastern Europe. The Czech Foreign Minister responded by saying that strong transatlantic relations are the foundation of Europe's security.

The timing of the comments was not well thought out, says former French ambassador to the US, Gerard Araud, now at the Atlantic Council.

"We are fighting now - all together, behind the Americans - we are fighting Russian aggression in Ukraine. And I understand that for many of our partners, it was not the right moment to raise the issue of our transatlantic alliance".

Critics say that President Macron's comments risk undermining the alliance.

"It confirmed the Chinese view that it is possible to create a rift between the United States and Europe," says Liana Fix with the Council on Foreign Relations.

In the wake of the diplomatic storm that erupted, a delegation from the French parliament visited Taiwan last week to reassure it of French support.

Amid Russia's war on Ukraine - and rising tensions between the West and China - some argue Mr Macron is trying to avoid a wider confrontation.

"China is seeking a multilateral world. And Macron comes along and says, 'OK, if you don't arm Russia, we can be France and pretend that we're not vassals of the US, we can pretend that we're all different sides, that we have our sensibilities about the politics of a China and all these issues,' says Renaud Foucart with Lancaster University.

The 2024 US election could see a president less inclined than Joe Biden to defend Europe.

"I think the debate will be reopened with force. Europeans who want to sleep under the American flag will be forced to wake up," says Gerard Araud with the Atlantic Council.

Meanwhile, analysts say that Britain's alliance with Australia and the United States is likely to involve London in any confrontation in the Indo-Pacific./ VOA