French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the escalating divide between the United States and China as the foremost global risk during a speech in Singapore. Addressing the Shangri-La Dialogue, a prominent defense forum in Asia, Macron called for stronger cooperation between Asian and European countries to sustain the international order.
Macron affirmed France’s alliance with the United States while acknowledging competition and disagreements with China. He warned against countries choosing sides between the two superpowers, stating that such divisions could dismantle the institutions established post-World War II to promote peace, health cooperation, climate action, and human rights.
Highlighting a shared stake for Asia and Europe in preserving international systems, Macron remarked, "The time for non-alignment has undoubtedly passed, but the time for coalitions of action has come. Countries that can act together must give themselves every means to do so." His visit coincides with efforts by France and the European Union to deepen trade ties within the Asian region, particularly as US tariff policies have generated economic uncertainty.
Macron also addressed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, noting that its resolution is pivotal to maintaining global credibility. He stated that failure by the US and Europe to resolve the crisis promptly could undermine their authority in managing other international challenges.
Referring to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which began in 2022 and has resulted in territorial occupation and significant casualties, Macron warned that accepting such aggression unchallenged could embolden similar actions elsewhere, including in Taiwan. He questioned, "If we consider that Russia could be allowed to take a part of the territory of Ukraine without any restriction, without any constraint, without any reaction of the global order… what could happen in Taiwan?"
China regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has intensified military activities around the island, conducting large-scale drills and disputing Taiwan's status as a sovereign state.
