Europe must resist pressure to become ‘America’s followers,’ says Macron

[Optimist]

Key European politicians back Macron's pursuit of ‘strategic autonomy’ amid debate on Europe's foreign strategy

LOL a strong EU isn't ant- indo pacific.

Germany aims to ‘set the record straight’ on China after Macron’s Taiwan comments

As German Foreign Minister Baerbock heads to China, Berlin is keen to stress that Europe will neither let Taiwan nor the US down.

www.politico.eu

 

[randomradio]

LOL a strong EU isn't ant- indo pacific.

Germany aims to ‘set the record straight’ on China after Macron’s Taiwan comments

As German Foreign Minister Baerbock heads to China, Berlin is keen to stress that Europe will neither let Taiwan nor the US down.

www.politico.eu

Actions speak louder...

Lot of money at stake.

China remains Germany's main trading partner for seventh year

Trade between Germany and China rose to a record level last year, making the Asian country Germany's most important trading partner for the seventh year in a row despite political warnings in Berlin about excessive dependence.

www.reuters.com

Goods worth around 298 billion euros ($320 billion) were traded between the two countries, up around 21% from 2021, according to data from the German statistics office made available first to Reuters on Wednesday.

As U.S. Tries to Isolate China, German Companies Move Closer (Published 2023)

Some are expanding in China, reluctant to leave a huge market they need to finance operations back home.

www.nytimes.com

Volkswagen, which has more than 40 plants in China, announced a new effort to tailor models to Chinese customers’ wishes, with features like in-dash karaoke machines, and will invest billions in local partnerships and production sites. It’s part of a theme unveiled by the German automaker last year: “In China for China.”

BASF, with 30 production facilities in China, is pushing ahead with plans to spend 10 billion euros ($10.9 billion) on a new chemical production complex that would rival in size its massive headquarters complex in Ludwigshafen, which covers about four square miles.

Reality is fun:
“Without the business in China, the necessary restructuring here would not be so possible,” Mr. Brudermüller told reporters at his company’s annual earnings conference in February. “Name me just one investment in Europe where we could make money.”

Executives at Volkswagen privately concede the automaker is in a similar quandary. High energy and labor costs have left the company heavily reliant on sales from China to help underwrite operations in Europe.

What are the chances of sanctions taking root in such a case?

Unless Germany maintains normal relations with China, their economy will go down. The US has screwed Europe over big time. CHIPS and IRA will protect their own market, made stronger thanks to their energy independence, whereas the US has shut down Europe's main source of energy and will pretty soon shut down the main markets for their goods, both the US and China.

At least France is being honest about it.

 

[_Anonymous_]

Who wouldn't want a stronger Europe? That is far different than what the EU will do with this force. Who of these have come out and said they have walked away from the Indo pacific issues? Macron is the only one I've seen.

Except for the EU themselves & China , I don't think even the Africans are too keen on an independent EU or even EU as a bloc . Apart from their annoying rhetoric they've serious nuisance value in terms of trade , functioning as it does in a bloc . Ditto for Latin America . EU without a strong armed force is just a talk shop + enormous nuisance value .

Tomorrow if war breaks out in the Pacific , trade routes in the Indo Pacific are jammed in any case . What difference would sanctions have or the lack of it as far as EU is concerned ? Add to it the distinct possibility of Russia initiating hostilities in Europe around the same time as war breaks out in the Pacific for the present war seems hopelessly a case of a war of attrition with the borders moving back & forth a few dozen kms every now & then & what could or should the EU's response be ?

They ought to thank their stars the ME & trans Atlantic trade routes wouldn't be effected allowing for easy passage of energy & some trade .

Of course this is assuming things stay under the lid as far as Iran goes . For if the rest of the world is in turmoil Israel could well decide to complete their unfinished business of ending Iran's N program . No guarantee that if Israel doesn't think that way , Iran themselves won't get similar ideas with the rest of the world in turmoil .

This is Call of Duty Next Generation , pops. Oz gets to sit this one out but the urge to emulate a Gallipoli once more will be too difficult an itch to resist I reckon. I mean which true blue Aussie redneck can resist the thought of planting the Aussie flag on some obscure beach in the Indo Pacific only to have later generations of Aussies come there to pay their homage & make a nuisance of themselves as the Turks discovered .

 

[BMD]

No, the Russians simply shut down imports and stopped stock market trading. China had nothing to do with arresting ruble's fall during the time, even now. Currency strength in emerging markets is dependent on forex supplies, so if forex keeps coming in via oil trade and nothing is allowed to go out, that strengthens the currency. Furthermore, the Russians forced the EU to pay for energy in rubles, which further played a part in stopping the slide. The ruble's future prospects aren't good, but that's the point of de-dollarisation.

The Russians are just manipulating their currency.

With help from China. Anyway, 2% of GDP deficit per quarter won't be sustainable for long anyway. I wouldn't invest in that .

Russia swings to $29 bln first-quarter budget deficit

Russia's federal budget balance sank to a deficit of 2.4 trillion roubles ($29 billion) in the first quarter of the year as Moscow spent heavily and energy revenues fell, the finance ministry said on Friday.

www.reuters.com

 

[randomradio]

With help from China. Anyway, 2% of GDP deficit per quarter won't be sustainable for long anyway. I wouldn't invest in that .

Russia swings to $29 bln first-quarter budget deficit

Russia's federal budget balance sank to a deficit of 2.4 trillion roubles ($29 billion) in the first quarter of the year as Moscow spent heavily and energy revenues fell, the finance ministry said on Friday.

www.reuters.com

What help from China?

Most countries have higher deficits than that.

 

[BMD]

What help from China?

Most countries have higher deficits than that.

Propping up of the rouble.

Not from just 1 quarter they don't. 2% per quarter equates to 8% over a year. At the moment Russia is a crap economy with low debt, in 10 years it'll be a crap economy with high debt, and you know what that means as regards their relations with China.

 

[_Anonymous_]

Except for the EU themselves & China , I don't think even the Africans are too keen on an independent EU or even EU as a bloc . Apart from their annoying rhetoric they've serious nuisance value in terms of trade , functioning as it does in a bloc . Ditto for Latin America . EU without a strong armed force is just a talk shop + enormous nuisance value .

Tomorrow if war breaks out in the Pacific , trade routes in the Indo Pacific are jammed in any case . What difference would sanctions have or the lack of it as far as EU is concerned ? Add to it the distinct possibility of Russia initiating hostilities in Europe around the same time as war breaks out in the Pacific for the present war seems hopelessly a case of a war of attrition with the borders moving back & forth a few dozen kms every now & then & what could or should the EU's response be ?

They ought to thank their stars the ME & trans Atlantic trade routes wouldn't be effected allowing for easy passage of energy & some trade .

Of course this is assuming things stay under the lid as far as Iran goes . For if the rest of the world is in turmoil Israel could well decide to complete their unfinished business of ending Iran's N program . No guarantee that if Israel doesn't think that way , Iran themselves won't get similar ideas with the rest of the world in turmoil .

This is Call of Duty Next Generation , pops. Oz gets to sit this one out but the urge to emulate a Gallipoli once more will be too difficult an itch to resist I reckon. I mean which true blue Aussie redneck can resist the thought of planting the Aussie flag on some obscure beach in the Indo Pacific only to have later generations of Aussies come there to pay their homage & make a nuisance of themselves as the Turks discovered .

Hope the French members here take due note .

 

[Parthu]

Charles Michel: Europe warming up to Macron’s ‘strategic autonomy’ push away from US​

European Council president says EU cannot ‘blindly, systematically follow’ Washington.

BRUSSELS — European leaders are becoming increasingly favorable toward French President Emmanuel Macron's push for "strategic autonomy" away from the United States, European Council boss Charles Michel said Tuesday.

As controversy swells around Macron's comments that Europe should resist pressure to become "America’s followers," Michel suggested that the French politician’s position was not isolated among EU leaders. While Macron spoke as the French president, his views reflect a growing shift among EU leaders, Michel said.

"There has been a leap forward on strategic autonomy compared to several years ago," Michel told French television show La Faute à l'Europe (which has a partnership with POLITICO) in an interview set to air on Wednesday.

"On the issue of the relationship with the United States, it's clear that there can be nuances and sensitivities around the table of the European Council. Some European leaders wouldn't say things the same way that Emmanuel Macron did ... I think quite a few really think like Emmanuel Macron."

Following a trip last week to China with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Macron told POLITICO and French newspaper Les Echos that Europe had to limit its dependency on the United States and avoid getting pulled into "crises that are not ours."

"There is indeed a great attachment that remains present — and Emmanuel Macron has said nothing else — for this alliance with the United States. But if this alliance with the United States would suppose that we blindly, systematically follow the position of the United States on all issues, no," Michel said.

....

Charles Michel: Europe warming up to Macron’s ‘strategic autonomy’ push away from US

European Council president says EU cannot ‘blindly, systematically follow’ Washington.

www.politico.eu

 

[Parthu]

Well, I think now is a good time to quote the Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar's statement last year:

"...Somewhere, Europe has to grow out of the mindset that Europe's problems are the world's problems, but the world's problems are not Europe's problems. That if it is you, it's yours but if it's me, it's ours... "

 

[Amarante]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1646867159564316674

 

[Optimist]

 

[randomradio]

Charles Michel: Europe warming up to Macron’s ‘strategic autonomy’ push away from US​

European Council president says EU cannot ‘blindly, systematically follow’ Washington.

BRUSSELS — European leaders are becoming increasingly favorable toward French President Emmanuel Macron's push for "strategic autonomy" away from the United States, European Council boss Charles Michel said Tuesday.

As controversy swells around Macron's comments that Europe should resist pressure to become "America’s followers," Michel suggested that the French politician’s position was not isolated among EU leaders. While Macron spoke as the French president, his views reflect a growing shift among EU leaders, Michel said.

"There has been a leap forward on strategic autonomy compared to several years ago," Michel told French television show La Faute à l'Europe (which has a partnership with POLITICO) in an interview set to air on Wednesday.

"On the issue of the relationship with the United States, it's clear that there can be nuances and sensitivities around the table of the European Council. Some European leaders wouldn't say things the same way that Emmanuel Macron did ... I think quite a few really think like Emmanuel Macron."

Following a trip last week to China with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Macron told POLITICO and French newspaper Les Echos that Europe had to limit its dependency on the United States and avoid getting pulled into "crises that are not ours."

"There is indeed a great attachment that remains present — and Emmanuel Macron has said nothing else — for this alliance with the United States. But if this alliance with the United States would suppose that we blindly, systematically follow the position of the United States on all issues, no," Michel said.

....

Charles Michel: Europe warming up to Macron’s ‘strategic autonomy’ push away from US

European Council president says EU cannot ‘blindly, systematically follow’ Washington.

www.politico.eu

They have confused being assertive with becoming someone's subordinate. But when you dig deeper, it's just an excuse. They are using strategic autonomy as an excuse to throw the US under the bus.

 

[Picdelamirand-oil]

They have confused being assertive with becoming someone's subordinate. But when you dig deeper, it's just an excuse. They are using strategic autonomy as an excuse to throw the US under the bus.

For the rare time it's not the United States throwing Europe under the bus.

 

[randomradio]

For the rare time it's not the United States throwing Europe under the bus.

Funny as that sounds, when the US throws somebody away, they actually gain something out of it. In this case, the only one gaining is the main enemy. Both the US and France lose here.

The problem is most Westerners don't understand Chinese culture. They follow the survival of the fittest mantra. They follow jungle rules as a means of survival, the strong takes from the weak. You literally have to either show that you have a bigger stick or beat them with a more efficient stick to show that you have strength comparable to theirs. And this is not metaphorical, it's literal. You literally have to demonstrate hard power to keep them in line.

Darwinism, through a Chinese lens | Riazat Butt

Riazat Butt: On my third day in Alexandria, I search in vain for Hindu creationists, but learn instead about Darwin's influence on China

www.theguardian.com

It's 'cause the people there have always lived under oppression ever since civilisation began. They haven't had any serious philosophical release that more serious religions than Buddhism have provided for other cultures. So their culture has instead imbued prehistoric biological traits of surival within their societal structure and continues to this day. Darwin merely helped the Chinese understand their own philosophy. Basically, if people put culture on the backburner, they default to using biological traits. And it gets worse when base biological traits are the foundation of culture. So anybody with even a little bit of power over other people in China is given a lot of leeway, and this forces people to respect power more than anything else.

And Macron is doing his best to act exactly the opposite of how you are supposed to behave in front of the Chinese. This is no different from the Germans helping the Russians get rich.

 

[zinswinsin]

Build up sovereignty through increase of strength benefits EU and USA.

And yea that requires federalization.

 

[Amarante]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1646982950783729664

 

[_Anonymous_]

As usual RST seems to have confused the philosophy of the CCP for that of the Chinese people. This is like saying ahimsa is the guiding philosophy of the Indian people. Much as Gandhi , Gandhians & the Congress would have us believe it's true, had that really been the case, we'd all be circumcised wearing skull caps & fasting this month.

That distinction though important doesn't matter for our PRESENT assessment of the Chinese as it's the philosophy of the ruling class that matters.

 

[Guynextdoor]

Sounds like something a Paxtan leader would say. And it's never good if what you say sounds like something a Paxtan leader would say.

As usual RST seems to have confused the philosophy of the CCP for that of the Chinese people. This is like saying ahimsa is the guiding philosophy of the Indian people. Much as Gandhi , Gandhians & the Congress would have us believe it's true, had that really been the case, we'd all be circumcised wearing skull caps & fasting this month.

That distinction though important doesn't matter for our PRESENT assessment of the Chinese as it's the philosophy of the ruling class that matters.

If ahimsa is not our philosophy then why are you such a sissy?

 

[randomradio]

Social Darwinism was part of their philosophy since they began civilisation.

The concept of face in Chinese culture is explained by Darwinism. The fittest had the most face, and had the means to gain more face and protect it. And anybody weaker than the fit could have their face tarnished as the natural order of things. Chinese society is divided based on who is considered fittest, with the emperor on top and servants and slaves at the bottom, so power is accrued by people who are innately better, ie, the fittest, and is determined by the heavens apparently, so you are born into power.

Social Darwinism simply gave their practice structure. And because it could be studied and practiced in an ordered manner, it became a core philosophy of the CCP. They have basically appropriated face and are now the final arbiters of face.

India's caste system is similar but has degraded the following Darwinism over time, from being able to choose your caste to having to be born in it. Hypergamy and nepotism were the driving factors here. Fathers chose son-in-laws from families that were equal or better, and sons inherited the father's profession, there was no longer room for outsiders. Both hypergamy and nepotism are rooted in Social Darwinism, it was about becoming as fit as possible, executed over multiple generations in order to keep a family safe from harm. It was largely biology driving it.

 

[BMD]

You spelt 'farce' wrong.