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French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
Emmanuel Macron sent a pointed message to former President Donald Trump after his re-election, hinting strongly at the possibility of a European Army.
As concerns rise over Mr Trump’s potential to downgrade America’s role in NATO, Mr Macron emphasised his belief that Europe must become an “omnivore” rather than a “herbivore” on the global stage.
Speaking yesterday at an informal summit of European leaders in Budapest, France’s President issued a stark seven-word warning: “Europe can’t be the world’s herbivore anymore."
“If we decide to remain herbivores, then the carnivores will win, and we will be a market for them.”
Mr Macron’s remarks may be intended to rally European leaders around the idea of a self-sufficient defence strategy, a concept he has long championed.
US President-Elect Donald Trump (Image: Getty)
In 2018, he proposed the formation of a “true European army” to reduce the continent’s reliance on the United States, particularly given growing tensions with countries such as China and Russia.
In 2019, he went further, famously describing NATO as “brain dead,” signalling his doubt over the alliance’s ability to meet Europe’s current security needs.
For Mr Macron, Mr Trump’s re-election presents a critical turning point, strengthening his conviction that Europe must become more self-reliant.
The 44-year-old has long been a advocate of European independence from powerful trading rivals like the US and China, pushing for greater autonomy not only in defence but also in areas like technology and economic policy.
He continued: “We in Europe think that we should delegate our geopolitics to the United States of America, that we should delegate our growth debt to our Chinese clients, that we should delegate our technological innovation to the American hyper-scalers.
French President Emmanuel Macron, second left, speaks with Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban (Image: AP)
"That’s not the best idea."
One anonymous EU diplomat told Politico Mr Trump’s re-election might provide Macron with a renewed “raison d’etre”.
They explained: “Europe faces potential trade wars on two fronts, with the US and with China."
Tensions have been rising, with the European Commission recently slapping tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and with the possibility that Mr Trump could follow through on threats to levy tariffs on EU goods.
While Mr Macron’s calls for a more assertive Europe resonate with some leaders, others remain sceptical about the bloc’s ability to replace the US in global security matters.
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Budapest (Image: Getty)
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto voiced doubts about Europe’s capacity to fill the American role.
He said: “If you ask me the theoretical question whether Europe could replace the US in that matter, I would say obviously not.”
Nevertheless, other EU leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, have backed the idea of a Europe-led defence strategy.
At the meeting in Budapest, hosted by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Ms von der Leyen and other leaders underscored the need for Europe to assume responsibility for its own security and to continue supporting Ukraine amidst ongoing Russian aggression.
Peter Szijjarto, Hungary's Foreign Affairs Minister, pictured during a trip to Russia (Image: Getty)
However, Mr Szijjarto, who like Orban himself wants to end the war and negotiate with Russia, said: “Europe has to reflect,”
He suggested that Trump’s re-election “creates a totally new reality, not only in Europe but in the world.”
Not everyone is convinced by Mr Macron’s stance, however, with another diplomat declaring: “He says unity, but it means French unity. If it means pulling up the drawbridges, and battening down the hatches, no thank you. We want to stay open to the transatlantic relationship.”
Macron’s renewed push for a stronger European military highlights long-standing debates about the EU’s role on the world stage.
Although he was among the first to congratulate Mr Trump on his re-election, Mr Macron’s remarks highlight his determination to see Europe become less dependent on Washington, positioning itself as a more self-sufficient and assertive force in the face of shifting global dynamics.
English (US) · 