WASHINGTON: French finance minister Bruno Le Maire said on Wednesday that France and Europe want to pursue an independent policy path from the United States and China, but intend to be"strong and reliable allies of the United States of America".
Le Maire's comments come amid backlash in the United States and Europe over Macron's Politico interview published on Sunday, in which he called on the European Union todriven by an"American rhythm and a Chinese overreaction." "We want Europe to be sovereign. I mean that on the geopolitical issues, on the industrial issues, on the technological issues, we want Europe to be more independent," Le Maire said."This has been at the core of the French policy for more than six years."