French President Emmanuel Macron announced a plan to push forward France’s military spending during his annual speech to the armed forces on Sunday, just before the country’s Bastille Day holiday.
“Our freedom has never been so threatened,” Macron said. “There are no more rules, it’s the law of the strongest that wins.” He added, “We Europeans must assure our security ourselves.”
Macron made it clear that old alliances, especially with the United States under President Trump, have weakened. He said the threat from Russia is very serious and that the world is now more willing to use force.
“You have to be feared in this world,” Macron said. “And to be feared you have to be strong.” He also said that “American disengagement” means Europe must defend itself.
Macron declared that by 2027, the year he leaves office, France’s military budget will be increased to $74.8 billion. Compared to the $37.64 billion spent in 2017, the budget will rise by 6.5 billion euros, or $7.6 billion, over the next two years.
Although the military budget will double in ten years, it still only makes up 2 percent of France’s total economic output. NATO agreed that all 32 member countries should increase their spending to 5 percent of their economy by 2035.
FRANCE’S PUSH TOWARD MILITARY INDEPENDENCE
Macron’s decision to raise military spending comes at a time when France faces serious challenges. The top French general, Thierry Burkhard, recently said Russia is now France’s “main adversary in Europe.”
France is the only nuclear power in the European Union and has the strongest military in the union. Only Britain in Western Europe matches France with nuclear weapons and a strong army.
Macron has been upset by President Trump’s unpredictable foreign policy, personal insults, and threats to raise tariffs on European goods. This has made Macron more determined to lead France and Europe toward greater independence in security matters.
On Saturday, Macron criticised Trump’s threat to impose a 30 percent tariff on European Union goods if no trade deal is reached by August 1.
French Defence Minister Sbastien Lecornu told a French newspaper that no one in France wants the country to depend on others for military strength. He said France must work harder not just in money, but also in thinking, values, and industry.
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With inputs from Agencies