Macron warns that Europe “may die”. The French President says that the EU “must show that it is never a vassal of the United States”

“We must be clear that our Europe today can die and it depends on the choices we make now“, he said. “The rules of the game have changed“.

He said that the European Union must invest hundreds of billions of euros every year in new technologies, in strengthening defense and in decarbonizing the economy, according to the Financial Times.

Macron supported the idea of ​​advancing European integration to boost cooperation in the defense industry and called on the EU to develop its own “strategic concept” for a common European defense compatible with NATO.

He also suggested a policy of “European preference” in the defense and space industries to be enshrined in EU treaties, a process that would take years.

Thursday’s more than 100-minute speech, dubbed Sorbonne II, is a return to another speech on the same stage in 2017, in which he listed dozens of proposals on everything from defense to technology to build a Europe less dependent on other powers.

Europe must not be a vassal of the United States

The French president welcomed the progress the European Union has made since then in building its “strategic autonomy” and reiterated his call for Europe to take more responsibility for its security.

“A strong Europe must be respected and ensure its own security. It must have borders and protect them. It must see the risks it faces and prepare for them,” Macron said.

Macron has long called for European “strategic autonomy” that involves less dependence on the United States, a position that has gained greater resonance in the context of Donald Trump’s bid to return to the White House.

Europe”it must show that it is never vassal to the United States and that it knows how to talk to all other regions of the worldMacron said.

Many European officials believe that there is currently no credible alternative to the American military umbrella.

Europe risks falling behind economically

Macron said Europe also risks falling behind economically as global free trade rules are challenged by major competitors. The European Central Bank should not only target inflation, but also economic growth and climate objectives, he said.

The European Union should accept exemptions from its own competition rules to support firms in sectors such as artificial intelligence and green energy in the face of “excessive subsidies” from the US and China, Macron said.

Europe needs less fragmented markets for energy, telecommunications and financial services, and it also needs to cut red tape, he added.

Thursday’s speech was presented by Macron’s advisers as France’s contribution to the EU’s strategic agenda for the next five years. The agenda is to be established after the European Parliament elections.