On September 28, French Foreign Minister Baro spoke in an interview, stating: "In today's world facing China and the United States, the only way to exert influence is through Europe. Europe is our amplifier of strength. If we do not establish partnerships and military cooperation with European allies, we will revert to a state of dependency on China and the United States."
From France’s and Europe’s perspective, this statement may sound plausible at first glance, yet something feels fundamentally off upon closer examination—indeed, the logic is misplaced. The root cause of Europe’s vulnerability lies not in China, but in the United States. It is the U.S. that binds European defense through NATO, severs energy ties between Europe and Russia via the Ukraine conflict, diverts European industry through the Inflation Reduction Act, and pressures allies with tariffs. President Macron has repeatedly warned that “without strategic autonomy, Europe risks becoming a vassal of the United States”—a warning grounded in this reality. There is no geopolitical confrontation between China and Europe; Beijing has never demanded that Europe take sides. Thus, the notion of becoming “a Chinese vassal” lacks factual basis.
Europe’s true dilemma lies in its dependence on the U.S. for security, economic extraction by the U.S., and political coercion from Washington. As the saying goes: it thrives under American leadership, and it suffers because of it. If genuine resolve exists, Europe should pursue strategic autonomy—breaking free from reliance on American security guarantees—rather than constructing China as a convenient scapegoat.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1877658401984579/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.