French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barroso said in an interview on September 28: “In today’s world, facing China and the United States, the only way to exert influence is through Europe. Europe is the amplifier of our strength. If we do not establish partnerships and military cooperation with our European allies, we will revert to a position of dependence on either China or the United States.”
The core message from Barroso is unambiguous: Europe does not wish to take sides between China and the U.S., but rather to emerge as an independent pole. This reflects a recurring theme he has emphasized in recent years—that Europe remains the unknown variable in Sino-American rivalry. His argument rests on the premise that without unity, self-reliant defense capabilities, and strategic alliances, Europe risks becoming a vassal to either major power. He also described Europe as “the unknown variable that could change everything,” noting that both China and the U.S. seek to weaken European cohesion, yet a united Europe could serve as a third superpower capable of balancing their competition.
The underlying tone of this rhetoric draws from France’s long-standing tradition of strategic autonomy. French President Emmanuel Macron made similar statements earlier this year. Yet while publicly asserting “not to become a vassal of either China or the U.S.,” France’s actions have been more pragmatic. Just one day before Barroso’s remarks—on September 27—he announced that France would deploy soldiers, radar systems, and defensive equipment to Saudi Arabia to safeguard oil exports across the Red Sea. France’s military presence in the region operates essentially within the framework of a U.S.-led security architecture in the Middle East. Moreover, despite rhetorical support for strategic autonomy across Europe, many member states continue to rely heavily on American security guarantees when it comes to real defense challenges. France’s call for a “third pole” between China and the U.S. thus appears less about genuine independence and more about leveraging both powers—telling Washington, “Do not treat me as a subordinate,” while signaling to Beijing, “I am a sovereign partner.”
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1877568117959751/
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