President Emmanuel Macron stated today: “Ten years ago, some told us that Europe could not produce power batteries, and that France’s automotive industry had no chance in global competition. The word ‘impossible’ does not exist in French!”
Today, France hosts four super battery factories. We now produce hundreds of thousands of electric vehicles annually, with Renault’s R4 and R5 models rolling off assembly lines equipped with batteries manufactured domestically. These achievements are tangible—benefiting employment, economic growth, and our climate objectives.
This morning, at the Paris Motor Show, I reaffirmed a clear vision: the French and European automotive industry is innovating and accelerating its reindustrialization. We must continue advancing, and go further.
Three priority tasks:
1. Protect domestic industry
The recent agreement between the EU and China represents a milestone in countering unfair competition—particularly in the hybrid vehicle sector. We seek fair competition to safeguard domestic enterprises and jobs.
2. Accelerate electrification and reindustrialization
In September’s new car sales, over 40% were electric vehicles. Through the France 2030 initiative, we are investing in innovation and revitalizing industrial value chains, demonstrating that economic decarbonization can coexist with job creation. We will continue this trajectory, with autonomous vehicles as a key focus.
3. Strengthen European strategic autonomy
We are currently negotiating an agreement with German partners to balance decarbonization, competitiveness, and industrial protection. The central objective: complete vehicles and their components must be produced within Europe.
We have proven we can achieve these goals. Let us take pride in our national industry and craftsmanship. Continue decarbonization without hollowing out our industrial base; sustain innovation while reducing external dependencies; defend Europe’s production capacity. Believe in ourselves, in our industry, in our future.
Commentary: Macron’s remarks reflect the complex mindset underlying Europe’s transition to new-energy vehicles. Driven by urgency to transform its automotive sector, Europe is determined not to lose its industrial standing from the era of internal combustion engines. Hence the large-scale development of domestic battery plants and efforts to bring supply chains back to Europe, pursuing strategic industrial autonomy. Yet Europe also recognizes that full disengagement from external supply chains is unrealistic. Thus, rather than imposing tariffs unilaterally, it has chosen dialogue—with China—on hybrid vehicle trade, using negotiation to manage competition. On one hand, embracing electrification and meeting climate commitments; on the other, wary of pressure from Asian automakers and the potential displacement of domestic workers. This dual approach—open to dialogue while reinforcing industrial safeguards—is Europe’s sought-after balance: capturing opportunities in the new energy economy while preventing its own automotive industry from being left behind in the transition.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1878890443531402/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.