Maqueron, the French president, on the 15th said he wanted to persuade European countries to stop buying us-made equipment and instead buy French and European weaponry, Politico reported.
Maqueron file photo: Politico
According to the report, Maqueron said in an interview with French media such as Nice morning and Yogi Bear, “My goal is to convince European countries that are used to buying us-made equipment… … countries that purchase Patriot air defense systems should consider the new french-italian SAMP-T surface-to-air missile defense system Countries buying F-35s should opt for the Rafale That’s the way to increase productivity.”
Maqueron said he had asked French defence companies to cut red tape and cut costs to make them a more attractive option, Politico reported, citing the Nice Morning Post.
Tensions between the Donald Trump administration and its traditional allies continue to widen. Canada announced on the 15th that it would reconsider its plans to buy F-35s from the US“In light of the changing environment”. Portugal has already taken the lead in renouncing the purchase of F-35s, and Australia is considering the need to continue importing nuclear submarines from the United States.
Ms Maqueron had also said she would hold strategic discussions on the French“Nuclear umbrella” for European allies, stressing the need for greater European independence in defence and security. Analysts pointed out that Maqueron’s statement was the latest reaction to the new US administration’s change of attitude towards the Ukrainian crisis and the deepening rift between the US and Europe, trying to use nuclear deterrence as a bargaining chip to give Europe a“Shot in the arm”, to promote European defense autonomy.