Emmanuel Macron, on a state visit to the Netherlands until April 12, gave a long speech on Tuesday on the "
economic sovereignty
" of Europe, which he wants to be more independent of China and the United States. .
He was welcomed by the Dutch royal family, then went to the Nexus Institute for a presentation which he wished to follow on from that of the Sorbonne in 2017. On his return from China, the president had estimated that Europeans should not be "
followers
" on the Taiwan question, adapting to the "
American rhythm
" or a "
Chinese overreaction
", as well as "
less dependence on the Americans
" in matters of defense, triggering an outcry among Westerners .
Emmanuel Macron interrupted at the start of his speech
The president was interrupted at the start of his speech.
“
Where is French democracy?
“, “
The convention on the climate is not respected
”, shouted demonstrators unrolling a platform with writing “
President of violence and hypocrisy
”.
"
We are in a democracy and we can talk about everything
," replied Emmanuel Macron.
Read alsoEmmanuel Macron interrupted by demonstrators at the start of a speech in The Hague
Sovereignty “essence of identity and being”
“
The concept of European sovereignty seemed a little strange at first
,” Emmanuel Macron began because it seemed “
to come out of the French imagination and be wishful thinking
.”
After the Sorbonne speech, "
I was told that this would never happen, but these terms are at the very heart of my political project
", added the head of state.
“
If you lose your sovereignty, or if you agree to depend on other powers, you no longer decide for yourselves
”.
“
It does not mean that we will distance ourselves from our allies, but that we will choose our allies and our partners.
Instead of being witnesses, we must be decision-makers
,” he added.
For the president, the war in Ukraine and the Covid have revealed the need for European sovereignty.
“
With Russia, for example, we thought that exchanges would be the best way to cooperate and avoid aggression
”, but, according to Emmanuel Macron, “
Europe was too pushed by the commercial approach [... ] and we have not paid enough attention to our economic security
”.
"
I don't want to go back to protectionism, but we have to define what our economic doctrine of security would be
“, he said before defining five pillars.
European integration
"
We have to be more competitive
", began Emmanuel Macron.
"
We cannot live in a continent that is not competitive
", which will require a "
simplification of regulations and an improvement in the quality of higher education
", because "
we need talents and if not train our citizens or immigrants who will have the necessary talents
”.
An industrial policy
"
It was a taboo in Europe
," assured the head of state.
“
Industrial policy was prohibited because the state interferes in the market, but we need it because competitors interfere,
” he continued.
This policy must allow the emergence of technologies that will make it possible to “
fight against climate change
”.
“
We have American and Chinese technologies which are a risk for us
”, if Europe does not act jobs “
will be destroyed
” and “
we will be in a situation where we can no longer decide for ourselves
”.
“
We will have to change our models
,” he certified.
Protect our interests
“
We have to accept that we have strategic interests
” and these “
can be compromised
”.
The European Union must equip itself with a tool “
to block corporate purchases by foreigners, and to filter certain purchases
”.
The president targeted certain areas: cybersecurity and strategic infrastructure.
“
Wherever there are vulnerabilities and where European security is in danger
”.
"
We need to take protectionist measures in defense and technology
."
He also cited necessary regulations on social media.
Because, in the opposite case, Europe “
exposes itself to the propaganda of foreign States or to algorithms which come from elsewhere
”.
