Emmanuel Macron, President, France

He has led France since the year 2017 as President and as the head of the centrist La République En Marche! party. He supports the European Union, works for climate protection and encourages diplomacy among nations. Modernizing France’s economy, supporting the EU and encouraging international cooperation on security, trade and technology have been Macron’s main goals.

French President Emmanuel Macron called for peace in the 2025 U.S.-China trade war, asking for more cooperation between nations, Europe’s independence, and efforts towards multilateral solutions. Macron is concerned about the sharpening division between the US and China, saying that pressuring nations to take sides is a major danger to global peace. Because of this, he called for joint activity by European and Asian countries to sustain international stability and strengthen society as a whole.

Talking about the Trump administration’s decision to raise tariffs on imported steel and aluminum to 50 percent, Macron said such action was “unnecessary and stupid.” He indicated that policies that favor one country disrupt world trade, raise costs for ordinary Americans, and create issues for businesses counting on products from abroad. Macron thinks policies like these harm instead of benefiting the world’s economy.

Macron supports European sovereignty and has again called for the EU to rely more on itself, for example in defense matters, technology, and production. He challenged European leaders to get tough and work hard to depend less on others. Emmanuel Macron stated that France would remain an Indo-Pacific power, having a big influence in the region and building closer military relationships with Asian countries.

Whether or not France walked away from the United States, Macron was clear about the problems he found in Washington's unilateral ways and what they mean for global diplomacy. He pointed out how world conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and Taiwan are linked and urged leaders to not rely too heavily on U.S. troops in Asia. France is acting by seeking a multipolar world that involves cooperation, shared responsibilities, and making sure Europe’s voice is heard internationally.