ISTANBUL
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Wednesday that the recently released US national security strategy vindicates Paris' long-standing call for Europe to pursue strategic autonomy.
"The publication of this US national security strategy is, fundamentally, a moment of clarity and truth that urges us to stay the course and accelerate (...) It is a striking demonstration that we were right, since 2017, to call on Europe to pursue strategic autonomy," Barrot said as he was speaking before French lawmakers.
He reaffirmed that they were right to begin reshaping Europe, noting that the bloc had regained control of its borders, equipped itself to defend against “unfair competition,” and imposed rules on tech giants.
"Whatever the outcries of the international reactionaries, we will not be intimidated. The same rules apply to everyone. TikTok accepted them. X refused them. The European Commission took action—and it was right to do so. And this is only the beginning," Barrot added.
He underscored that a number of voices will claim that “true sovereignty can only be exercised at the national level,” stressing that Europeans know “very well” that safeguarding their sovereignty also depends on Europe.
"The peoples of Europe reject capitulation in wars of invasion just as in trade wars. They reject the idea of Europe becoming a subjugated and aging continent. They want Europe to become a democratic power that lets no one decide on its behalf," Barrot further said.
The new US national security strategy document, released last week, outlined the Trump administration's priorities in foreign and security policy. It focused on the Indo-Pacific region while rejecting European governments' characterization of Russia as an "existential threat.”
The 33-page document also included contentious observations about Europe, warning of the continent's economic decline and the "real and more stark prospect of civilizational erasure" within the next 20 years. It also criticized the stance taken by European governments against EU-skeptical, far-right, and anti-immigration movements.
In a sharp break from previous strategy documents, it argued: "The larger issues facing Europe include activities of the European Union and other transnational bodies that undermine political liberty and sovereignty, migration policies that are transforming the continent and creating strife, censorship of free speech and suppression of political opposition, cratering birthrates, and loss of national identities and self-confidence.”