The French president called on Germany to show European “solidarity” in the face of rising energy prices and called for “strong support” “as soon as possible” for the car industry in Europe against China and the United States.
These statements by Emmanuel Macron appear in an interview granted to the French newspaper Les Echos that will be published in full this Monday.
“We cannot limit ourselves to national policies because that creates distortions within the European continent,” the official said, according to AFP, which had access to the interview.
“Our Europe, as during the Covid-19 crisis, is at the moment of truth (…). We must act with unity and solidarity”, added the French head of state.
The government of German Chancellor Olaf Sholz, accused of acting alone with his €200 billion support plan to protect families and businesses from rising energy prices, is under pressure from several European Union partners ( EU) to accept more financial solidarity. .
“Germany is at a time of model change, the destabilizing nature of which should not be underestimated,” Macron admitted.
But “if we want to be consistent, national strategies should not be adopted, but a European strategy,” Macron insisted, although he expressed confidence “in the strength of the Franco-German axis” and in the ability of both, together, “to lead pursue an ambitious strategy”.
The leaders of the 27 EU members meet this Thursday and Friday in Brussels, with the aim of finding a common response to the increase in energy prices caused by the war in Ukraine.
“There is European solidarity towards Germany and it is normal that there is solidarity from Germany towards Europe”, emphasized the French president.
In the same interview, Emmanuel Macron called for “strong support” and “as soon as possible” for the European car industry against China and the United States.
“I strongly support a European preference in this regard and strong support for the automotive sector. We have to take it on and it needs to happen as soon as possible,” he stated.
“The Americans are buying Americans and they are carrying out a very offensive state aid strategy,” Macron argued.
In turn, “the Chinese are closing their market. We cannot be the only space, the most virtuous in terms of the climate plan, that considers that there is no European preference”, he pointed out.
Emmanuel Macron will be present on Monday at the opening of the Paris Motor Show.
This year’s edition of the event will be attended by a large number of Chinese manufacturers, who intend to launch their electric models on the European market.
Source: TSF
