Macron’s pitch in Seoul
French President Emmanuel Macron used a stop in Seoul to renew his call for a "coalition of independent democracies" capable of pushing back against what he described as China’s dominance and the unpredictability of US President Donald Trump.
The idea, as Macron laid it out, would bring together the European countries, Japan, South Korea, Canada and some major emerging powers, including India and Brazil. In other words, a rather ambitious club, because apparently the world was not already complicated enough.
"Our goal," Macron said, "is not to be vassals of two hegemonic powers."
He added that Europe and its partners do not want to depend on China’s dominance, nor be too exposed to the unpredictability of the United States.
Macron’s message was straightforward: countries that want strategic room to breathe should organize themselves accordingly, instead of letting larger powers set all the terms.
