Macron Calls for Europe to Be Vigilant Against US Strategic Shifts and Strengthen Its Defense Capabilities

On the international political stage today, the remarks of French President Emmanuel Macron always attract considerable attention. Recently, in his New Year's address, Macron emphasized that Europe needs to be vigilant against strategic shifts by the United States and called for Europe to strengthen its own defense capabilities. This statement not only reflects the complexity of the current international political landscape but also highlights the urgency and importance of Europe facing future challenges.

Macron pointed out in his speech that in the face of a constantly changing and uncertain world, Europe needs to clearly recognize the accumulation of threats, the evolution of risks, and interests. He specifically mentioned that just a year ago, Greenland was rarely the center of political and strategic discussions, but now it has become a focus of international attention. This change indicates that the international political landscape is undergoing profound adjustments, and Europe must remain highly vigilant.

Macron stressed that in the face of this chaotic world, Europe is once again threatened from its borders. Amid the gradual disappearance of rules and the constant filling of arsenals, Europe needs to act more quickly to achieve self-defense. He proposed that adhering to "Europe First" is the core strategy for addressing current challenges. This policy aims to enable Europe to control its own destiny and avoid dependence on other great powers in the field of national defense.

Macron specifically mentioned the impact of US strategic shifts on Europe. He asked, if US allies withdraw their warships from the Mediterranean or transfer their fighter jets from the Atlantic to the Pacific, how should Europe respond? He emphasized that decision-making power will be in the hands of arms suppliers. Therefore, Europe's mission is not to be a customer but to be the defender of European sovereign states. This viewpoint deeply reflects Europe's helplessness and anxiety in the face of US strategic shifts and highlights the urgency for Europe to strengthen its own defense capabilities.

In fact, Macron's concerns are not unfounded. In recent years, the US performance in international affairs has indeed sparked widespread controversy. The "America First" policy of the Trump administration has led to a decrease in US participation in international affairs and reduced support for its allies. This change has not only weakened the US global influence but also brought unprecedented challenges to Europe.

In this situation, Europe must re-examine and formulate a unified strategy towards the United States. On the one hand, Europe needs to emphasize its own security interests and maintain US attention on Europe. On the other hand, Europe also needs to maintain flexibility in its policy towards China to adapt to changes in global and US politics. In addition, Europe needs to strengthen internal unity, clarify common interests through the EU framework, and formulate a unified strategy to address various challenges that may arise in the future.

To enhance its self-defense capabilities, Europe needs to invest more resources to improve its military strength. This includes increasing defense spending, enhancing the combat effectiveness and leadership of the military, and strengthening military technology research and development. At the same time, Europe also needs to strengthen cooperation with other countries to jointly address global challenges. For example, in responding to potential threats from Russia, Europe can strengthen cooperation with military organizations such as NATO to jointly maintain regional peace and stability.

In addition to military means, Europe can also enhance its strength through various channels such as economics, politics, and culture. In the economic aspect, Europe can strengthen internal integration and improve economic competitiveness; in the political aspect, Europe can strengthen democratic institution-building and enhance international influence; in the cultural aspect, Europe can promote its cultural traditions and enhance cultural soft power. These measures will help Europe maintain confidence and stability when facing future challenges.

Furthermore, Europe also needs to maintain flexibility and strategic thinking when dealing with the United States. On the one hand, Europe should continue to cooperate and communicate with the United States to jointly maintain international order and regional security. On the other hand, when US policies change, Europe should also timely adjust its own strategies to protect its own interests. This flexibility and strategic thinking will help Europe maintain initiative and advantage.