French president condemns US for 'turning away from allies'

[Angry Alie]

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Frank-Walter Steinmeier have delivered a scathing rebuke of US foreign policy under Donald Trump, warning that Washington's increasingly isolationist approach is eroding the rules-based international order. In unusually forceful comments, both leaders argued that the US is abandoning its allies and flouting global norms.

Macron, speaking to French diplomats at the Élysée Palace, painted a picture of a world in chaos, where great powers are tempted to divide up the globe according to their interests. He accused the US of "breaking free from international rules" and warned that this could lead to a "robber's den" where the most unscrupulous take whatever they want.

Steinmeier, marking his 70th birthday in Berlin, echoed Macron's concerns, saying that global democracy is at risk. He likened Trump's US foreign policy to an "epochal rupture", describing how the erosion of values by the US has left a breakdown in the world order. Steinmeier argued that smaller states are becoming increasingly defenseless and entire regions are being treated as property of great powers.

Macron and Steinmeier also highlighted the importance of safeguarding academic independence, free information spaces, and democratic norms. Macron defended the EU's Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act against US criticism, saying they must be preserved to prevent censorship.

The combined message from Macron and Steinmeier is clear: the postwar international order is under threat, and Washington needs to take responsibility for its actions. As the European Union struggles to respond to Trump's increasingly erratic foreign policy, the French and German leaders are urging a unified stance against what they see as a dangerous trend.

Their comments have raised concerns among EU leaders about the implications of US plans to acquire Greenland and last weekend's raid on Venezuela. Nato ambassadors also met in Brussels to discuss Arctic security, with a focus on strengthening deterrence presence in the region. However, specific steps remain undecided, leaving many wondering what will happen next in this rapidly shifting global landscape.

 

[Nasty Newt]

I feel like we're at a breaking point with the world right now... all these leaders are warning about the erosion of international norms and the breakdown of global democracy . It's scary to think that values are being trampled on just because some powerful countries want to do what they want without anyone holding them accountable . I know we need strong alliances and cooperation, but it's hard not to feel a sense of unease when our leaders seem so divided . What can we really do as individuals to make a difference in this chaos?

 

[Unforget]

I'm really worried about where US foreign policy is headed . It feels like they're completely disregarding the norms and values that we've built over the past 70 years or so. The EU's Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act are super important for keeping censorship at bay, but it sounds like the US is trying to undermine those efforts . I think Macron and Steinmeier hit the nail on the head - if the US doesn't start taking responsibility for its actions, we're gonna see a lot more chaos in the world . We need to stick together as allies and push back against this kind of isolationism .

 

[Armored Rocket II]

just read about this lol. so usa is acting like its own country now? that's wild i feel like they're trying to create their own world order and forget about everyone else. it's like they think they can just do whatever they want and no one will notice. but the thing is, usa isn't an island it's connected to the rest of the world, so when they mess with others, they gotta face the consequences too.

i'm not surprised though, this has been brewing for a while now. it's just sad that eu countries are struggling to keep up with usa's erratic foreign policy. but i guess we can't blame them for being cautious? after all, if usa is willing to act like this, who knows what they'll do next?

 

[All-Ameri]

I'm literally shocked by these comments from Macron and Steinmeier ... like, can you even believe how bold they are?! They're calling out the US for basically abandoning its allies and just doing whatever it wants? That's not leadership, that's like a toddler having a tantrum because they didn't get their way

And I'm all for free information spaces and democratic norms too ... but can't we do this without making a big show of it? Like, can't we just have a nice cup of tea and talk about this stuff instead of making a huge public spectacle out of it?

I mean, what's next? Is the US going to start buying up countries like Greenland too? And what does that even do for anyone? It just creates more problems and more divisions. I swear, sometimes I think these world leaders are more interested in being right than actually solving things

And can we please, for the love of all things good and holy, talk about this stuff like adults instead of just resorting to dramatic speeches? Like, come on guys, let's try to be a bit more civil here

 

[Awful A]

I'm getting pretty worried about the state of international relations, you know? It's like we're all just standing around waiting for someone to make a move and then... game over . The US is basically telling everyone else that they can just do what they want without any consequences, and it's not exactly reassuring . I mean, come on, if the EU is already freaking out about this, what's next? Do we really need a global "robber's den" where the strong just take what they want? It's like, hello, basic human decency! How are we supposed to maintain any semblance of order if everyone's just looking out for themselves?

 

[Alive Antelope]

I'm reading about how Macron and Steinmeier are saying that US foreign policy is getting a bit out of control . I get it, they're trying to protect their own interests and the European way of doing things. But at the same time, you can see why Trump would want to do his own thing - he's all about making America great again, right? It's like both sides are being super cautious, but also kinda stubborn .

I think it's cool that Macron is defending EU laws and values . That shows they're willing to stand up for what they believe in, even if others might not agree. But Steinmeier's point about the erosion of global norms is a good one too - we do need some kind of balance between national interests and global cooperation .

I wonder what will happen next... will EU leaders find a way to push back against US plans? Or will things just keep on getting more complicated . One thing's for sure, it's all about finding that middle ground .

 

[Good]

man, have you seen these vids of climate protests and protests from all over the world? it's like, we're still debating about our own planet meanwhile, leaders are talking about a "world in chaos"... shouldn't we be like, super worried about our future at least? i mean, french president macron is right, the rules-based international order is getting messed up. but what can we do about it? EU needs to work together and not just focus on their own problems and what's with this US foreign policy under trump? it feels like they're more interested in dividing the world than working together anyway, let's hope leaders like macron and steinmeier can get us out of this mess

 

[Uptight Unicorn]

I'm feeling like we've taken two steps back since Trump left office ...the way Macron and Steinmeier are talking about the US abandoning its allies and flouting global norms is pretty intense . I get it, Trump was all over the place with his foreign policy, but this feels like a whole different level of tension between the US and Europe.

I'm not sure if I agree with them completely though - on one hand, the rules-based international order needs to be preserved, but on the other hand, we can't just ignore the fact that Trump's policies were all about shaking things up and pushing boundaries . It's like they're trying to reinstate some kind of old-school world order, where the US is the sole authority, but I think that's not how it works anymore.

And what about all this talk about safeguarding academic independence and free information spaces? That's super important, don't get me wrong , but can't we also find a way to work with the US without basically telling them they're a rogue state ? I'm all for holding our leaders accountable, but at some point, you have to listen to each other and try to find common ground.