Europeans Must Come Out of Their Naivety, Says Emmanuel Macron Amid Submarine Row

French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday that Europeans must boost their defence plans and make themselves respected, as France opens talks with the United States to try to restore confidence after a submarine dispute led to a major diplomatic crisis. Europeans must come out of their naivety, Macron said Tuesday in a news conference in Paris, the first time he had spoken about the new Indo-Pacific defense deal announced this month by the U.S., Australia and Britain.

When we are under pressure, … showing that we also have power and the capacity to defend ourselves … is simply making ourselves be respected. As part of the pact, Australia will cancel a multibillion-dollar contract to buy diesel-electric French submarines and acquire U.S. nuclear-powered vessels instead. In an unprecedented move, France recalled its ambassador to the U.S. in response. Ambassador Philippe Etienne will go back to Washington on Wednesday with a clear mandate, Macron said. He stressed he and U.S. President Joe Biden agreed last week in a phone call to open in-depth consultations aimed at creating the conditions for ensuring confidence between the longtime allies.