Donald Trump’s first steps after returning to the US presidency have been an electric shock for Europe, French President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview with the British newspaper Financial Times, noting that an external shock could help the European Union (EU) adjust to the demands of the times.
“This is an electric shock. We need asymmetric impulses, external impulses,” Macron said. “This is the moment for Europe to accelerate and act,” he added, warning that the EU has no other choice.
According to Macron, the “extreme strategic uncertainty” will help sober up those European countries that hoped to maintain “strategic dependence” on the United States. “There was a model when they said that there was a Chinese market, an American umbrella that provided security, and cheap Russian gas to support production, but now all three points can be forgotten,” he emphasized. According to the French president, Europe can achieve a “strategic awakening” by starting to invest in defense and achieving GDP growth through broad economic integration and deregulation. According to Macron, Europe’s future military potential should enable it to act “even without the participation of the United States.” This, according to Macron, will take 5-10 years.