EU must adopt an 'omnivorous' approach, says Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron has called on the EU to reduce its reliance on the US and China. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
French President Emmanuel Macron has asserted that the European Union (EU) is currently like a 'herbivore' surrounded by 'carnivores' and must adopt a more assertive stance on the global stage. He emphasized the need for the bloc to become bolder and less reliant on the US and China during his address to EU leaders at the fifth European Political Community summit in Budapest, Hungary, on Thursday.
Macron reiterated his long-standing belief that the EU should play a more significant role in global affairs. “For me, it’s simple. The world is made up of herbivores and carnivores. If we decide to remain herbivores, then the carnivores will win and we will be a market for them,” he stated, while also urging caution against becoming excessively “aggressive.” He added, “I think, at the very least, we should choose to become omnivores. I don’t want to be aggressive, just that we know how to defend ourselves on all these subjects.”
The president called on the EU to reduce its reliance on major foreign powers like the US and China, arguing that handing off economic development and geopolitical responsibilities to external entities is “not the best idea.” “We [in Europe] think that we should delegate our geopolitics to the United States of America, that we should delegate our growth debt to our Chinese clients, that we should delegate our technological innovation to the American hyper-scalers,” he noted.
Macron also criticized the EU’s approach of functioning as a “supermarket open to all.” He warned, “Our open liberal democracy model is a target for other powers with opposing agendas who seek to divide us.” He pointed out the critical role the US-led NATO bloc plays in European security but stressed the urgency for the EU to decrease its dependence on Washington in this area. Although he has long advocated for establishing a joint EU military force, that idea has not yet come to fruition.
“And within NATO, we want to play our role… There has been a strategic awakening that we Europeans must take on. We must not delegate our security to Americans forever,” Macron asserted.
Following the recent announcement of Donald Trump winning the US presidential election, Macron highlighted the growing necessity for the EU to take independent actions. EU politicians have historically been concerned that a Trump resurgence could spark a new trade war with the US, and they have already prepared contingency plans for such an eventuality.
“[Trump] was elected by the American people, and he will defend the Americans’ interests, and this is legitimate and a good thing. The question is, are we ready to defend Europeans’ interests?” Macron asked.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
Macron reiterated his long-standing belief that the EU should play a more significant role in global affairs. “For me, it’s simple. The world is made up of herbivores and carnivores. If we decide to remain herbivores, then the carnivores will win and we will be a market for them,” he stated, while also urging caution against becoming excessively “aggressive.” He added, “I think, at the very least, we should choose to become omnivores. I don’t want to be aggressive, just that we know how to defend ourselves on all these subjects.”
The president called on the EU to reduce its reliance on major foreign powers like the US and China, arguing that handing off economic development and geopolitical responsibilities to external entities is “not the best idea.” “We [in Europe] think that we should delegate our geopolitics to the United States of America, that we should delegate our growth debt to our Chinese clients, that we should delegate our technological innovation to the American hyper-scalers,” he noted.
Macron also criticized the EU’s approach of functioning as a “supermarket open to all.” He warned, “Our open liberal democracy model is a target for other powers with opposing agendas who seek to divide us.” He pointed out the critical role the US-led NATO bloc plays in European security but stressed the urgency for the EU to decrease its dependence on Washington in this area. Although he has long advocated for establishing a joint EU military force, that idea has not yet come to fruition.
“And within NATO, we want to play our role… There has been a strategic awakening that we Europeans must take on. We must not delegate our security to Americans forever,” Macron asserted.
Following the recent announcement of Donald Trump winning the US presidential election, Macron highlighted the growing necessity for the EU to take independent actions. EU politicians have historically been concerned that a Trump resurgence could spark a new trade war with the US, and they have already prepared contingency plans for such an eventuality.
“[Trump] was elected by the American people, and he will defend the Americans’ interests, and this is legitimate and a good thing. The question is, are we ready to defend Europeans’ interests?” Macron asked.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
