Macron Says Situation for Europe has Worsened since Draghi report

(MENAFN) French President Emmanuel Macron stated Tuesday that Europe’s strategic and economic position has deteriorated since the publication of the Draghi report on European Union competitiveness, warning that the bloc now confronts what he described as a "dual crisis" driven by China’s trade expansion and growing uncertainty from the United States.

In remarks to several European media organizations, Macron stressed that the continent is navigating an "immense challenge" amid increasing global instability.

Reflecting on shifting geopolitical dynamics, he noted that the United States—long regarded as Europe’s enduring security guarantor—"now casts doubt." He added that Russia, once expected to remain a stable supplier of inexpensive energy, halted that role three years ago.

Meanwhile, China, previously viewed primarily as a major export destination, has evolved into an "increasingly fierce competitor."

When asked about the current outlook compared to the conclusions outlined in Mario Draghi’s 2024 assessment of EU competitiveness, Macron said the situation "has worsened dramatically."

"Today, China has a trade surplus of $1 trillion with the rest of the world ... at the same time, Washington has imposed tariffs on us," he said, according to reports.

Draghi’s earlier findings cautioned that without decisive reforms, the European Union risked long-term economic decline.

Expanding on that concern, Macron stated: "In reality, we are facing a dual crisis: a commercial tsunami from China and split-second instability from the American side," as he spoke shortly before an upcoming gathering of EU leaders in Brussels.

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