It is unclear exactly where French President Emmanuel Macron’s remarks about Europe and the United States originate, but they reflect a misreading of current geopolitical realities. A senior Polish diplomat, Deputy Foreign Minister Paweł Jabłoński, insisted that Europe must be strong yet should never be in opposition to the United States.
Macron’s three-day visit to China prompted him to say that Europe does not seek a sharper confrontation over the Taiwan issue and should chart its own path in its relations with Taiwan, independent of the United States and China. In a revealing interview with Politico, he urged Europe to resist becoming an echo of America and called for Europe to pursue strategic autonomy.
Analysis of the claim
The deputy head of Polish diplomacy commented on Macron’s statements, noting that they signal a skewed perception of reality. He stressed that while Europe must be capable of defending itself, its strength should not involve breaking or bypassing the United States.
According to Jabłoński, the United States has stood as Europe’s ally for many decades. They supported Europe through much of the 20th century and helped secure stability and peace across large areas of the continent, he argued.
He noted that transatlantic ties and NATO form the core of a secure international system, and without them, the ability to maintain global security would be severely compromised.
Poland’s attitude
The deputy head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that Poland backs efforts to strengthen Europe as a whole and to bolster the capabilities of its member states. Poland has long advocated higher defence spending and greater national and continental resilience, while keeping the aim of collaboration rather than confrontation with the United States. The goal, he said, is to achieve parity so Europe operates on equal footing with its allies, not to oppose them.
In related remarks, Charles Michel, president of the European Council, spoke of a growing openness among European leaders toward Macron’s vision of strategic autonomy from the United States during an interview with French television. The discussion underscored a broader debate about Europe’s security architecture and the balance between alliance commitments and autonomous strategic capability.
In summary, the conversation centers on how Europe can strengthen its own defence and political coherence while maintaining a constructive, – and essential – partnership with the United States and its allies. The question remains how to translate this into practical policy that preserves unity across Europe and reinforces the transatlantic bond, especially within NATO.