Macron talks like the spokesman for Europe — but the Chinese of course know he isn’t.
The true breakthrough in terms of European coherence towards China would be a joint visit of the German Chancellor and the French President (form), sending the same message in their talks with the Chinese President (substance)—and following up with carrots and sticks.
Ideally they would talk and act after comprehensive talks with the US and Japan, and the UK, and after a process of strategy building on the European level. /3
As things stand, both Germany and France, and the US, still not working and acting on behalf of joint interest of free world — forcing Chinese autocratic leadership to respect rules (business, respect for smaller states). /4
Despite rhetoric and some action, all three, US, France, Germany not acting on behalf of free and open order and long-term interest. They pursue a my country-first approach, trying to cut deals in the interest of some of their business. /5
Easy for the Chinese to continue to deal with liberal world one-by-one, buying them off with carrots — instead of facing a joint coherent front. No pressure on the system and its modus operandi. /end
