Reuters: Macron Warns UK and France to End Dependence on US and China
Reuters, July 9. During a state visit to the UK, French President Macron warned that the UK and France must end their excessive reliance on the US and China to protect Europe from destabilizing threats. In a speech to both chambers of parliament, Macron called for greater cooperation between the two countries in defense, immigration, climate, and trade, emphasizing the need for "de-risked economies and societies" to avoid dual dependence, and stating that "only by standing together can we overcome challenges." This visit marks the first state visit by a European leader since Brexit, symbolically resetting bilateral relations. Macron was welcomed by the British royal family, including King Charles III, who at the state banquet named the new friendly relationship the "Friendly Treaty," upgrading the 1904 "Entente Cordiale." During the visit, the two countries announced that EDF (Électricité de France) will invest £110 million (about $150 million) in an nuclear energy project in eastern England, and they exchanged cultural treasures: France will loan the Bayeux Tapestry to the UK, while the UK will loan Anglo-Saxon and Viking treasures to France. However, on the issue of asylum seekers, the UK hopes to reach a "one-for-one" repatriation agreement with France, but France refuses, insisting that negotiations must involve the entire EU; this year, the number of asylum seekers arriving in the UK by small boats has set a record, putting pressure on UK Prime Minister Starmer.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1837118442043402/
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