French President Emmanuel Macron, visiting Japan, indirectly criticized the Donald Trump U.S. administration by raising Europe's "predictability."
According to AFP on the 1st (local time), Macron said in a speech in Tokyo to Japanese businesspeople and investors, "I know well that Europe can sometimes appear to be a slower continent than other regions," adding, "But predictability has value, and we have demonstrated this over the past few years, and even in recent weeks."
He went on, "In times like these, that is not a bad thing. Trust me," adding, "For those countries that are 'moving much faster,' you cannot know whether they will still be there the day after tomorrow, or whether tomorrow they will make decisions that will harm you without even informing you."
Macron's remarks are seen as pointing out that at the end of February, the United States, without prior notice to its allies, launched a swift strike with Israel on Iran, which in effect triggered an energy crisis. As Iran effectively blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, a key crude oil route, Japan, which relies on the Middle East for 95% of its crude oil imports, was hit directly.
Referring to the impact of this war on the energy sector, Macron said, "Europe stands by your side. With unwavering firmness, we stand on the side of international law."
In an interview aired that day with NHK, he also took aim at President Trump, who said withdrawal could be possible without a plan to normalize the Strait of Hormuz. Macron said, "There would be nothing worse than bombing for weeks and then pulling back with no plan in place."
On the Strait of Hormuz, he also stressed, "Several countries in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe can play a role in building a plan to secure freedom of navigation together."
He also said, "We have no intention of accepting China's hegemony or the United States' hegemony," and expressed a willingness to strengthen cooperation with Japan, Canada, and India.
Macron discussed the Middle East situation in talks that day with Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.