Macron Warns US, Indo-Pacific: Don’t Ditch Ukraine for China Showdown/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ French President Emmanuel Macron warned Indo-Pacific allies and the U.S. that shifting focus to China at Ukraine’s expense risks damaging global credibility. Speaking in Singapore, he emphasized the strategic and moral consequences of abandoning Kyiv. His comments come amid U.S. troop shifts and uncertainty around China-U.S. tensions.
Macron’s Indo-Pacific Warning: Quick Looks
- Macron cautions U.S. and allies against sidelining Ukraine in favor of China deterrence.
- Says abandoning Ukraine would damage U.S. credibility in standing up to China over Taiwan.
- Delivered remarks at Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in attendance.
- Macron implied criticism of both Trump and Xi, denouncing unilateral decisions by global powers.
- Speech follows U.S. discussions to redeploy troops from Europe to the Indo-Pacific.
- France committed to Indo-Pacific presence, recently completing a five-month naval mission in the region.
- China sent lower-level delegates, avoiding direct high-level engagement at the forum.
- Concerns grow over U.S. commitment to Taiwan amid Trump’s tariff threats and isolationist stance.
- Macron urges multipolar cooperation, stating “we don’t want to depend on any of them.”
- Hegseth affirms U.S. presence in Asia, but tension remains over strategic consistency under Trump.
Deep Look: Macron Tells Indo-Pacific—Don’t Sacrifice Ukraine for China Strategy
SINGAPORE — In a sharply worded speech at a major Asian security summit Friday night, French President Emmanuel Macron issued a warning to the United States and Indo-Pacific nations: If the world pivots too heavily toward preparing for conflict with China, it must not come at the expense of supporting Ukraine in its defense against Russia.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Macron emphasized that global credibility, especially that of the United States, depends on a consistent, principled foreign policy. With reports circulating that the U.S. is weighing troop redeployments from Europe to the Indo-Pacific to bolster its posture against China, Macron pushed back against what he called a “dangerous double standard.”
“We want to cooperate,” Macron said. “But we don’t want to be instructed on a daily basis what is allowed and how our life will change because of the decision of a single person.”
The remark appeared to be a thinly veiled jab at U.S. President Donald Trump, who has taken an increasingly unilateral and transactional approach to foreign policy during his second term, including renewed tariff threats and erratic alliances.
Strategic Shift Draws European Concern
Macron warned that pulling back support for Ukraine could weaken deterrence efforts toward China, especially regarding Taiwan, which faces escalating threats from Beijing. The concern: if America allows one autocracy to invade a neighbor unchallenged, another might follow.
“If Ukraine is sacrificed, it tells the world—including China—that agreements with the West are fragile,” said one French official accompanying Macron.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, attending the event, echoed U.S. resolve but provided no new details on the administration’s Indo-Pacific troop shift discussions. He met with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, reaffirming military partnerships in the region amid rising tensions in the South China Sea.
China Sidelined at Security Forum
China’s delegation was notably subdued, with no top defense official attending. Instead, Maj. Gen. Hu Gangfeng led a lower-tier team. Chinese military provocations around Taiwan—including spy balloons, naval maneuvers, and carrier deployments—have put regional allies on edge.
Defense officials traveling with Hegseth framed China’s absence as a missed opportunity: “We’re here. And we will be here,” one U.S. official said.
France’s Indo-Pacific Push
Macron’s presence in Singapore wasn’t symbolic. France has 1.6 million citizens living in Indo-Pacific territories and maintains significant military deployments in the region. Its carrier strike group recently wrapped up a five-month tour in a clear show of commitment.
“We are neither China nor the U.S.,” Macron said in a press conference. “We want to cooperate with both—but not be dependent on either.”
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong supported Macron’s multipolar vision, advocating for “comprehensive engagement” and “win-win arrangements” with all global powers.
The Broader Security Backdrop
This year’s summit unfolds amid multiple global flashpoints:
- Russia’s war in Ukraine continues to drain Western resources and attention.
- Myanmar’s civil war deepens humanitarian suffering post-earthquake.
- India and Pakistan recently exchanged fire, stoking fears of larger conflict.
- Thailand and Cambodia clashed briefly, adding regional instability.
The Indo-Pacific region, increasingly central to geopolitical competition, remains wary of being forced to choose between the U.S. and China. Macron’s pitch offered an alternative: balance, principle, and European engagement.
China-Russia Alliance Raises Alarms
While democratic Indo-Pacific powers like Japan, South Korea, and Australia support Ukraine, China has bolstered ties with Moscow. North Korea has even reportedly sent fighters to support Russian forces, drawing sharp criticism from Western leaders.
“Russia wants to destabilize not only Europe but Asia,” Macron’s office said in a statement previewing his Saturday speech.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.