After the irritation over French President Emmanuel Macron's remarks on Taiwan, the Elysée Palace tried to limit the damage on Tuesday. The Elysée announced that Macron shared with US President Joe Biden the goal of an "open Indo-Pacific".
Michaela Wiegel
Political correspondent based in Paris.
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Majid Sattar
Political correspondent for North America based in Washington.
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Hendrik Kafsack
Economic correspondent in Brussels.
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Matthias Wyssuwa
Political correspondent in Berlin.
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Jochen Stahnke
Political correspondent in Berlin.
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In a telephone conversation before Macron's trip to China, the two heads of state exchanged views on the importance of free trade sea routes. Another common goal is to "prevent the increase in risks in the Strait of Formosa". Biden and Macron have also agreed that the Taiwan issue must be resolved "through dialogue."
In an interview with the French business newspaper "Les Échos", Macron had said with a view to the tensions over Taiwan that Europe should not get into crises "that are not ours". He called for distancing oneself from America's China policy. He also expressed understanding for China's "striving for unity." He warned the Europeans against allowing themselves to be integrated into a bloc logic between America and China. This would mean that Europeans would become "vassals" of America.
Elysée: "Position on Taiwan is constant"
The Elysée Palace correction said, "Our position on Taiwan is constant. We support the status quo and maintain our exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan's recognized democratic system." Nor can there be any question of France at the same distance from the United States and China. "The United States is our allies, we share common allies," it said. China is "a partner, a competitor and a systemic rival."
Washington also sought to dispel the impression that there were renewed tensions in US-French relations. John Kirby, the spokesman for the National Security Council, said they let the Elysée Palace speak for Macron. The White House is focusing on "excellent cooperation" with France as an ally and friend. Kirby highlighted Biden's close relationship with Macron, underlining that the two countries cooperate in many fields, including naval operations in the Asia-Pacific region. The State Department also said there was huge agreement between America and its European partners on how to meet the Chinese challenge.
In fact, Macron's remarks are a setback for Washington. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and China's support for Moscow seemed to contribute to Europe's willingness to abandon at least part of its opposition to America's new offensive China strategy.
Republican McCaul calls Macron's words "discouraging"
Republican remarks reflect Washington's views on the French president: Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said Macron's words were "discouraging" because Beijing's threat to Taipei was a "growing threat to the global balance of power." Other Republicans went further, saying the remarks were "shameful, shameful and geopolitically very naïve."
Meanwhile, the European Commission was visibly struggling to blur the impression that Macron and EU Commission President von der Leyen have different positions vis-à-vis Beijing. As a matter of principle, the Commission does not comment on interviews and political assessments by heads of state and government of the member states, a spokesman clarified. The message from Macron and von der Leyen during their joint meeting with Xi was "unified and coherent," the spokesman said.