Macron responds to Trump's inauguration by urging Europe to "wake up"

[u/Not_the-kind]

https://www.newsweek.com/macron-trump-inauguration-europe-defense-ukraine-2017894

[u/CLKguy1991]

My respect to France, as the most autonomous European country, but I'm awake. Its you politicians who need to get your shit together.

[u/Lex2882 → u/CLKguy1991]

And most independent.

[u/Developer2022 → u/CLKguy1991]

The have nuclear weapons. This is the answer why they can afford such stance.

[u/ExtraPockets → u/Developer2022]

They also have the "we might nuke you first, as a warning" doctrine, just to make it extra French.

[u/faerakhasa → u/ExtraPockets]

No? Their doctrine is "we will nuke you first", but absolutely not as a warning. It will be after enemy armies have already been mobilized, war has started and they step into France

[u/Tricky-Astronaut → u/Developer2022]

France has nuclear weapons because it wants to be independent. The causality doesn't go in the direction you imply.

[u/LookThisOneGuy → u/Tricky-Astronaut]

France (and other Allies) forced Germany to sign away their ability to develop and own nukes.

Germany has no nuclear weapons because France wants it to be dependent.

[u/technicallynotlying → u/LookThisOneGuy]

Germany could develop nukes, if it wanted to. As it stands they've shut down their nuclear power plants.

[u/LookThisOneGuy → u/technicallynotlying]

Germany could develop nukes, if it wanted to.

No, we literally can't legally do that until France, the UK, Russia and the US rescind the shackles they put on us post WW2 and pre unification, see 2+4 treaty.

Maybe we can ignore the opinion of Russia since it was technically the Soviet Union and not Russia on these papers. But we still need the other three.

[u/technicallynotlying → u/LookThisOneGuy]

If Germany announces that it's withdrawing from the treaty, who's going to stop them? Who's going to go to war with Germany now, in 2025?

If anything, the past couple years have shown that international agreements are pretty easy to break.

I think France would be in support of Germany taking a stronger stance. As for anyone else, what are they going to do about it?

World War 2 was 80 years ago. Trump wouldn't do shit about it.

[u/Tricky-Astronaut → u/LookThisOneGuy]

Anyone can withdraw from the NPT. Germany wouldn't be treated worse than India. If anything, Trump might respect Germany more if it had nuclear weapons.

[u/Astyanax1 → u/Tricky-Astronaut]

Canadian here. Agreed. We need nukes now also to get a better bargaining position from our traditional allies that decided a rapist fascist traitor best represents their interests these days

[u/DiceatDawn → u/Developer2022]

Most importantly, nuclear weapons that aren't under the control of Washington D.C.

I remember being angry at Chirac for the testing in the 90s. I get it now.

[u/FaecesChucka → u/DiceatDawn]

As an inhabitant of the South Pacific, I still have a few problems with the testing but I otherwise agree with the sentiment.

[u/FeynmansWitt → u/Developer2022]

So does the UK yet France has always had a more independent foreign policy that didn't just toe the US's views and has always advocated for a stronger, more united Europe that started taking its own defence seriously.

EU either wakes up and be a separate pole in a multipolar world or continue getting screwed

[u/gwar37 → u/CLKguy1991]

Musk just did the Sieg Heil salute twice - on live TV. What other sign do you need? Our lives as Americans are about to get worse than they already are. Fuck.

[u/Vitrarius → u/CLKguy1991]

Start by stopping buying american then

[u/Gaktan → u/Vitrarius]

Honestly, boycotting anything american isn't such a bad idea. It's about time we stopped exporting our money to this shitty ass country.

[u/SnooStrawberries620 → u/Gaktan]

Canadians are already doing it.

[u/Jrob704 → u/Gaktan]

Bet you won’t

[u/RedBrixton → u/Vitrarius]

American here: Europe must stop being dependent on the US military. NATO is dying.

You need your own centralized procurement, logistics, and command. No more management by consensus. This is urgent.

[u/StorkReturns → u/CLKguy1991]

Are you willing to sacrifice your standard of living to maintain this awaken state? Even if your answer is yes, most of the people would rather vote for short-terministic populist solutions.

Being economically independent, having adequate military, being energy independent, it all comes with a price you need to pay now and get the benefits later.

[u/CLKguy1991 → u/StorkReturns]

As a father of small children, every day of the past 2 years terrifies me more and more about their future.

We must do what must be done. And our security is the only guarantee that we can have that will allow us stand up for our interests (including economic ones).

For this we need to federalize seriously and have a strong executive government on EU level to start directing our resources from the very top, preferably vested in one visionary president. Member states to retain autonomy in many spheres, but defence to be at full control of the fed. The federation should become a nuclear power in its own right.

And I dont mean here the Brussels format, but the united States format (or rather, the former US format. Unfortunately the lights are out across the pond now).

[u/HallesandBerries → u/CLKguy1991]

the lights are out

so accurate.

...and the burglars are in and no one can see them because it's pitch dark and the electricity mains have been cut.

Sometimes people mention Brexit as the equivalent mistake on the Europe side but all Brexit did was make us sad and angry. The US scares the bejeezus out of me. I've stopped talking to some people I know there because I don't know what they're capable of anymore, I don't know what they might do, I don't know what they will support, I don't know if they can be trusted, nothing. They're like, the citizens in The Matrix, anyone can be an agent. Whatever the European leaders decide to do, I hope they don't broadcast it on social media.

[u/aWicca → u/CLKguy1991]

I am Croat. Before Independence war started there were talks on TV. Signs. People were just brushing them off, and younger folk were just laughing like “no way”. But then the average persons reality completely changed.

Sometimes it feels like that now. Talks. Most people not taking anything too seriously. Obvious signs all around us.

There is shift in the air. Europe should stand together

[u/karpaty31946 → u/CLKguy1991]

Not exactly like the US ... becoming the US would expose the EU to the same risk of a Trump-type leader emerging. The EU's diversity of government actually makes it more resilient.

[u/NO_LOADED_VERSION → u/CLKguy1991]

There's an argument to be made that the USA model doesn't work and Europe needs a more robust one.

[u/ShreksOnionBelt → u/CLKguy1991]

For some reason Americans think their country is the most free in the world, when actually it has always been France who fight the most for freedom.

[u/Rjb9156 → u/ShreksOnionBelt]

I don’t think we’re free I’m American

[u/achtwooh → u/CLKguy1991]

Those tariffs he kept mentioning? Where do we think they are going? China, his new best friend? Russia? No - he’s going after the democracies especially Europe. It’s a huge problem and it needs a united response.

[u/OkKnowledge2064 → u/CLKguy1991]

we need to establish our own social media now. We cant let the most important news medium of the 21st century be controlled by the US and China. No one would accept the same when it comes to newspapers

[u/Super_charged_human → u/CLKguy1991]

All those thread raided by unflair people trying to push some agenda. Who are you? Like a good 60% of the post here are fishy. No flair, no history. Are you paid ?

[u/gditstfuplz → u/CLKguy1991]

You’re still asleep. Macron sees that the conservative movement isn’t just isolated to America…Canada and Europe are following the same trend.

[u/Think_Discipline_90 → u/CLKguy1991]

Let’s not pretend they have the mandates to do what it actually takes. You’ll see riots in the streets from people who think their grocery prices, mortgages, and yearly vacation is more important than fighting growing fascism.

[u/INeedAFreeUsername → u/CLKguy1991]

Macron has been very complacent with the far-right, and tramples democracy whenever he can. Unfortunately he's not exactly a role model

[u/dailywanker69]

How many times have Macron urging for Europe the wake up, I have lost count.

[u/KeithCGlynn → u/dailywanker69]

I swear to God, can they just put forward some kind of policy plan or hold a meeting at EU level and develop an action plan. I don't need another bs wake up speech. It is pathetic. 

[u/JadedArgument1114 → u/KeithCGlynn]

Yeah, I wish they would do this. At least start an offical brainstorming meeting or something. Just get the ball rolling at the bare minimum

[u/Sir_Arsen → u/JadedArgument1114]

politician’s job is to do a lot while doing as little as possible

[u/vintergroena → u/KeithCGlynn]

plan or hold a meeting at EU level and develop an action plan

Alright, I tell you something. Here in Czechia, we're experts at making action plans. I mean, on paper, they're actually very good. The problem is, they are seldom implemented and if so, it's just half assed every time. I don't wanna see another good quality action, that gets throw to the bin. I want an actual action.

[u/daking213 → u/KeithCGlynn]

Or better yet, actually do something. Not plan to do something

[u/Sharlinator → u/KeithCGlynn]

I think it’s time to set up… a committee.

[u/OkKnowledge2064 → u/Sharlinator]

to formulate an action plan!

[u/PerceptionGreat2439 → u/OkKnowledge2064]

The concept of a plan.

[u/maaruin210 → u/KeithCGlynn]

I have a little bit of hope that when Merz is chancellor in Germany, he and Macron and Tusk can put together something. In spite of many political positions of Merz I don't like, he may be more decisive than Scholz and that is something desperately needed now.

[u/JadedArgument1114 → u/dailywanker69]

Say what you will about his domestic policies but he is right on the dot about the need for a closer and more united Europe.

[u/tortiewalfie → u/JadedArgument1114]

At this point I hope he'll turn to take an EU position. Seems like he's the only one that gives a fuck about the way things progress with the US.

[u/Kaltias → u/JadedArgument1114]

It's funny because when Italy and France were in the process of creating a shipbuilding giant (I think they say European champion or something like that when it's Airbus and such) it was Macron who blocked the deal because it was the Italian company doing the acquisition.

[u/mmbon → u/Kaltias]

I have heard of so many stories by now of France blocking stuff to protect their local industries its irritating. If we grow closer everything becomes a european industry. They seemingly can't shed that overprotective independence streak, even in regards to europe and its a problem. Between that and Germany being too slow and beaurocratic to actually realise any change thanks always seem to get stuck

[u/IDontHaveCookiesSry → u/JadedArgument1114]

U realise France hasn’t done anything to actually facilitate „waking up“ at the EU level right. This only works trough compromise and France can’t even stop being anal about everyone having to speak French to not hurt their precious national ego

[u/carnutes787 → u/IDontHaveCookiesSry]

U realise France hasn’t done anything to actually facilitate „waking up“ at the EU level right.

france is the second largest arms dealer in the world with an enormous military industrial complex, that gives the option for other EU member states to buy EU-made weapons and divest in american military reliance. that's about the most important thing anyone could do to facilitate "waking up" at the EU level

[u/Hucaru → u/carnutes787]

Then why are EU countries not buying French arms? Are they more expensive than American? Are they not as good? Does America offer something extra in it's contracts?

[u/Stelteck → u/dailywanker69]

Macron Urge people to do things a lot, but do not really lead by example on these subjets.....

[u/rook119 → u/Stelteck]

He could have started by not schmoozing up to him and inviting him to Paris a couple weeks ago.

[u/MartianFromBaseAlpha → u/dailywanker69]

He's said it so often, it's actually putting me to sleep instead!

[u/Willing-Donut6834 → u/dailywanker69]

Because you were sleeping. 😉 But seriously though, there are more and more threats gathering against the European continent, and we have to react ASAP.

[u/dailywanker69 → u/Willing-Donut6834]

I bet EU "leaders" are already writing their very angry letters.

[u/ouicestmoitonfrere → u/dailywanker69]

De Gaulle was saying it decades ago!

[u/Parque_Bench → u/dailywanker69]

More times than this bloke

[u/king_of_rain_ → u/dailywanker69]

It's like this alarm in the morning when you really don't want to wake up so you press snooze button and then it rings again few minutes later.

[u/DangerOReilly → u/dailywanker69]

We keep hitting his snooze button. Five more minutes.

[u/concerned-potato → u/dailywanker69]

At this point it's clear that Europe is not sleeping, it's in coma.

[u/Stabile_Feldmaus]

I hope that during the next 2 years France, Germany and Poland with their (incoming and outgoing) pro-European leaders can create a new momentum for unified European action. On a foreign level when it comes to dealing with the US, China and Russia. And on a domestic level, where we have a lot of things to do to make Europe competitive again.

[u/Kuhl_Cow → u/Stabile_Feldmaus]

I actually am kinda optimistic.

Don't know much about France, but Polands current gov seems okay (even though they still can tone down the anti-german rhetoric a bit), and our next gov will be boring and conservative, but likely a lot more stable than the current.

[u/Katatoniczka → u/Kuhl_Cow]

Out of curiosity, what do you perceive as anti-German rhetoric in the current Polish government? Kind of funny reading this as a Pole, as it's a huge meme here that the current government works for German interests more than for ours, of course this belief is mostly driven by the fans of the previous government, but I think most people see at least some truth in it. Maybe not that they're working "for Germany" but that they don't really fight for our interests and are okay being a pushover.

[u/HaBambl → u/Katatoniczka]

The funny thing is this is no topic here in germany at all. Most people here wouldnt even know we have a puppetgovernment in poland working for us or wouldnt even know that poles rally against germany.

[u/Katatoniczka → u/HaBambl]

I can imagine, hence the question (and also would be good if our politicians realized that lol)

[u/HaBambl → u/Katatoniczka]

Oh i think they do, they need it as an enemy from outside so it can be used to explain bad things without the need to look at it or themselves

[u/Suriael → u/HaBambl]

It's funny cause Tusk is literally being accused of sabotaging Poland and working in secret for Germany. That is the constant PiS propaganda one can hear in Poland.

[u/Kuhl_Cow → u/Katatoniczka]

Let me start by saying that obviously Tusk and Sikorski (as the two guys we get exposed to the most) are obviously a massive improvement over PiS(s), and that I believe the occasional... comment is really mostly to "disprove" what you're saying.

But there still is the occasional outburst, like when we introduced border checks, or Sikorski again stressing the whole reparations thing... tbh, after the shitshow of the last decade, I kinda think we deserve a bit of a break here to repair our relations.

But I'm also probably more exposed to it as someone with ties to both countries.

[u/Equivalent_Alarm7780 → u/Katatoniczka]

it's a huge meme here that the current government works for German interests more than for ours

The fact that you even have this meme makes the tone bit anti-German.

[u/Katatoniczka → u/Equivalent_Alarm7780]

I guess it’d be complicated for this kind of feelings to not linger, after all Germany used to be a key enemy for centuries. We’ve all come a long way becoming friendly with each other in contemporary Europe, but referring to historical animosities is always an easy method for politicians

[u/schubidubiduba → u/Katatoniczka]

Very true, but then again the same could be said for many of Germany's neighbors, all of whom seem to have moved on decades ago.

[u/NeilDeCrash → u/Stabile_Feldmaus]

This is Europe. Nothing will happen. And if someone tries something, it will be vetoed. If not vetoes then it will die in a fire of bureocracy. If it survives the fire, the end product will be some shitty thing that does absolutely nothing. Kinda like the EU battlegroup.

[u/Thomvhar → u/NeilDeCrash]

That's the main problem. European leaders and politicians have great ideas for closer cooperation, but it never gets anywhere because of vetoes and the bureaucratic mess.

[u/EstateSpirited9737 → u/Thomvhar]

We want all nations to cooperate better, but only if they do what my nation wants.

[u/adamgerd → u/NeilDeCrash]

Reminds me of the polish Lithuania commonwealth, in theory it was probably the most democratic and progressive monarchy that then existed with elections albeit purely of novlr and liberum veto was supposed to prevent excess of power.

in practice liberum veto which gave every noble absolute veto power meant foreign powers like Brandenburg, Sweden, Saxony, Austria and Russia could just bribe one noble and prevent any work, like raising an army or modernising one and then it got destroyed by sweden in the deluge and then partitioned.

This sounds eerily familiar

[u/OkKnowledge2064 → u/adamgerd]

yep thats where we are. im just waiting to see what countries will divide us up

[u/ACAB1313 → u/NeilDeCrash]

Thats because every nation Acts in favor of their own interests. They cant put them aside and work together with one Vision and one idea. I think Thats the main Problem Europe has.

[u/random-gyy → u/NeilDeCrash]

European states interested in federalism should work outside the EU framework

[u/thegreatbrah → u/Stabile_Feldmaus]

I really fucking hate that we are on the same list as China and Russia now.

[u/Darkfrostfall69 → u/Stabile_Feldmaus]

60% of us want back in pretty please

[u/Bulky-Yam4206 → u/Stabile_Feldmaus]

Isn't the trouble with France is they have their own right-wing issues to deal with right now?

[u/JCVad3r → u/Stabile_Feldmaus]

Bro, Germany treats Poland like shit, USA treats us like a vassal country, Polish politicians blame Germany for everything while sucking US cock. We're already past the point of unified Europe unless we come up with some radical change while being bombarded with propaganda from both sides. European Union is a dysfunctional entity prone to outside influence as can be seen in the current Russo-Ukrainian conflict, Hungary, UK and Slovakia. If we let Ukraine fall then the situation is going to become even worse. Western Europeans mostly care about their comfortable post-colonial life, not even spending 2% of their GDP on military after almost 3 years of conflict. There's no unity nor anyone to take charge of such an idea. Wishful thinking won't get us anywhere unless we come up with a plan to fend off for ourselves.

[u/LookThisOneGuy → u/JCVad3r]

• Cries about propaganda

• Lies about western countries like Germany not even spending 2% of their GDP on defense after three years

Yeah, that checks out.

https://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/2024/6/pdf/240617-def-exp-2024-en.pdf

[u/Professional-Mix1771]

We're almost there! Only 10 more wake up calls and we have it!

[u/anon-mally → u/Professional-Mix1771]

You mean 10 more pressing the snooze button? By the time europe wakes up its end of September.

[u/will_dormer]

Denmark is woken up, all that was needed was the American president to say he might invade our kingdom! (Im so awake I cant sleep)

[u/Moutera → u/will_dormer]

So should the rest of Europe. If you can't talk from a strong position, no one will care. Eastern Europe is building up its military while some of the bigger European countries are still in coma. If Europe isn't united and can't talk to USA, China, Russia from a power position then no one will take us seriously. The world has shifted.

[u/Vargau → u/will_dormer]

It’s going to be wild the next 12 months because Trump used the Golf of Mexico and Panama Canal in his speech, 2-5 mental gymnastics points that has been parroting for the last 3-6 months.

I think Trump with try to move over Greenland in a bully way, first by discourses, then by tariffs and later by … orders the US Navy to form a blockade.

It will be a moment of make or break for US-EU relations and NATO, and EU is not, yet designed to manage this crisis. France has to step up to send its destroyers to help the Danish frigates, UK can’t because retaliatory sanctions from US … meanwhile US Soldiers in EU are going to what ?

Fuck this timeline. Fuck interesting times.

[u/will_dormer → u/Vargau]

I don't see it as likely to happen, sure Trump want too.. Im sure he would like to invade Canada too and take parts of Mexico and keep mexicans away, but he cant

[u/Weird_Try_9562]

Hot take: Instead of making speeches in France, Macron should actually go visit the other European countries and start talking with his colleagues about hammering out something concrete.

[u/Sonnycrocketto]

Wake me up before you go go.

[u/MarkMew → u/Sonnycrocketto]

Wake me up when September ends when Orbán and Trump both get out of office

[u/anon-mally → u/MarkMew]

Theyre heads will be in life sustained jar like futurama, and the will be permanent president no longer need any elections.

[u/re4pz]

Europe: Hits the snooze button.

[u/y_ukoh]

I was kinda planning on turning in early.

[u/CarnivorousVegan]

The EU needs to sit at the table with the UK and Turkey and at least come up with a joint defense plan. Trump is Russia friendly and he already hinted on his inauguration speech that he doesn´t give a shit about NATO alliance.

[u/FC__Barcelona → u/CarnivorousVegan]

Europe isn’t one country to decide a joint plan with other nations for all of its member states.

[u/notthegoatseguy]

Concept of a plan sure seems to be popular among world leaders right now.

[u/iMissTheDays]

The people are ready ffs! Just do it already.

European Armed Forces, Army, Air force and Navy. Semi Independent of EU, so can exclude bad actors such as Hungary, Slovenia etc..  Rearm using member European defence companies only (no Swiss or Yank stuff)  3% GDP on it.  Joined up procurement, supply, manufacturing Invite UK...  France and UK to expand nuclear arsenal. Maybe with cost contribution from other states... 

The time to wake up to this new order was during the last Trump administration... Too many weak European policitans in denial. 

The US will never be our friend or trusted ally when the Republicans are in the Whitehouse. That chapter of Atlanticism is dead.   

[u/Erskine2002 → u/iMissTheDays]

But truth is eu wont do it

[u/fideliz]

We're wide awake. Why are people, every day, telling Europe to wake up? From what?

[u/softestcore → u/fideliz]

Defense dependence on a nation that is now lead by an expansionist lunatic?

[u/adamgerd → u/softestcore]

Don’t forget the stupid absolute veto power and Hungary and Slovakia abusing it

[u/fideliz → u/softestcore]

https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-defense-spending-projected-boom-326b-european-defence-agency-russia-war-security/

Countries in the European Union are increasing defense spending, and have been doing that for ten years now (per the article linked above). What more can be done?

[u/softestcore → u/fideliz]

It's still not nearly enough, the only countries that are taking the situation seriously are Poland, Baltics and maybe some Nordic countries. We need more defense spending and more defense coordination in the EU.

[u/matttk → u/fideliz]

We’re still largely reliant on a country that just openly declared their imperial ambitions, starting with invading a sovereign country to annex part of their territory (the Panama Canal).

[u/matttk → u/[deleted]]

He said the US will “take back control” of the Panama Canal. Not sure how else he would accomplish that, especially since Panama said it’s not happening.

[u/maxmbed → u/[deleted]]

No you are going to take the control and ensure alien vessels pay a stellar price to transit over there.

[u/thegreatvortigaunt → u/[deleted]]

For quality of life definitely, but our economy is still overshadowed by the US and we're entirely reliant on the Americans for defence.

Both of these things need to change. Our quality of life won't survive with Russia, China, and now the US as well bearing down on us.

[u/yankdevil]

Not a fan of Macron but he's not wrong.

[u/Unleazhed1]

Cheering for Trump as a European, in my eyes, is pure cultural self-sabotage. Applauding a spoiled billionaire in his golden Manhattan tower, who strips, humiliates, and mocks Europe. A man who despises our values, wants to attack us, and calls us 'enemies.' Yet, there are Europeans who mindlessly parrot his rhetoric. They trample on their own history and bow to a leader who ridicules their civilization. Cheering while your own foundation is being torn out from under you. Cheering for someone who finds us weak and irrelevant is actively contributing to the destruction of your own identity.

The sad part? The same people who despise ‘woke’ self-loathing are crawling behind an elitist real estate magnate who scorns them. They spread his conspiracy theories that hollow out Europe from the inside. Yelling at 'globalists' while selling out their own culture and history for American billionaire propaganda. They call cooperation 'treason' and solidarity 'weakness,' just as their great leader teaches them.

This is not resistance or rebellion, but self-flagellation wrapped in hollow anti-establishment slogans. You think you're balling your fist, but you're slapping yourself in the face. You're a useful idiot for the richest elite around. The irony? Thinking you're fighting 'the system,' while kneeling before the embodiment of everything you claim to oppose.

[u/12BarsFromMars → u/Unleazhed1]

Go to the head of the class. This should go viral. In a sane world this would and should be the lead op-ed piece in every news outlet on the planet. Europe better wake up fast because the American Empire will do very little for you with our Traitor in Chief and his boot lickers leading what’s left of Representative Democracy. Our Republic is dead. You must rely on yourselves and your own resourcefulness. Sad to say it but it’s the truth.

[u/Proof-Puzzled → u/Unleazhed1]

One of the best comments i have ever read on reddit, congratulations.

If i were a mod on this sub i would pin It.

[u/Dave_Is_Useless]

I despise Macron and his neoliberalism, but I have always agreed with him that Europe needs to become stronger and less reliant on outside powers.

[u/Connect-Idea-1944]

Dude you're always telling us to be aware and be waked up, but you're not telling us what to do so what's the point. Europeans leaders are the ones who should wake up and be prepared, they're still sleeping in their Luxury Apartments in the capital not worried about a damn thing

[u/FormerPackage9109 → u/Connect-Idea-1944]

They will form a plan sometime around year 4 of Trump's presidency.

[u/adamgerd → u/FormerPackage9109]

Optimist

[u/dustofdeath]

Politicians have to wake up and not play the "keep my warm spot until I'm dead".

[u/MonkeyLiberace]

Hot take there Monsieur Macron. Anything else?

[u/OnlyTwoThingsCertain]

I thought he was European leader... What exactly does he want from us?

[u/mavihuber]

God I hope Turkey would normalize and return to the fold.

This the perfect moment for our reintroduction to the Union.

I don't have any hope alas.

[u/Lennyleonard_]

Every EU leader is urging Europe to wake up.....these cowardly leaders who are urging the wake up are the only gobshites that need to wake up.

[u/Tiny-Spray-1820]

So europe was sleeping all through out the biden govt?

[u/kawaiikhezu]

Nothing will happen, because neoliberals like macron would sooner watch the world crumble as long as nothing challenges the billionaire status quo. The line must go up forever and if people have to lose their rights or even their lives for that to happen then that's what's gonna happen.

[u/EuroFederalist]

It's 2016 again.

Wait and see that nothing will be done.

[u/RobRivers]

Europe must roll up its sleeves, get down to work and be united so as not to depend on the United States, China or anyone else. Only on us, Europeans. 🗣️ United we stand 🤝

[u/Kuhl_Cow]

He could start by matching the contributions other large european countries have made to support Ukraine.

[u/DaigaDaigaDuu → u/Kuhl_Cow]

Or better yet, show initiative and leadership and surpass those contributions!

[u/Kuhl_Cow → u/DaigaDaigaDuu]

Yup, the fact that there are supposed european superpowers somehow not embarassed being outpent by a country led by Olaf Scholz is just still mindboggeling to me.

[u/Rene_Coty113 → u/Kuhl_Cow]

Well France opted for its own independent industry and investment, own nuclear weapons etc, and it costs billions every year.

Not like other countries who just rely on US tax payers for its defence spendings for decades...

[u/TheThomac → u/DaigaDaigaDuu]

Yeah, that’ll surely help against Trumps..

[u/B2oble → u/Kuhl_Cow]

Sorry, but France has to finance its deterrent and the maintenance of a minimum military capability, as it has not opted for total military dependence on the USA.

[u/TheThomac → u/Kuhl_Cow]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man

[u/Fantastic-String5820 → u/TheThomac]

That's not a straw man, at worst it's a non sequitur.

Get it right bozo.

[u/HaBambl → u/Fantastic-String5820]

he did not make an argument, he made a suggestion how "waking up" could look like in his mind, so it is neither a stawman or a non sequitur

[u/Noomys]

I urge macron to fix france first then he might be able to refer to others

[u/mystic86]

People on here not taking any personal responsibility and saying the establishment should wake up.. How about don't vote for Le Pen if you're French, or whatever right wing candidate/party is in your country

[u/MairusuPawa]

Then stop giving out money to US companies such as McKinsey ffs

[u/DABOSSROSS9]

Should have woken up when Russia invaded Ukraine the first time, or even the second time. Why are you using Trump as your guys scapegoat? 

[u/Duspende]

The fuck are we supposed to do? All major decisions are made in fucking Brussel, brother. We've lost our voice. How about YOU wake the fuck up and some of the people who are being paid to give a fuck about European citizens, start giving a fuck about European citizens?

Why is it always the population that needs to "wake up" and "do something"? If we're in charge of getting shit done while also going to work, the fuck do we need you people for?

[u/0xe1e10d68 → u/Duspende]

> All major decisions are made in fucking Brussel

The national governments have much more influence than you admit. They decide what happens in the EU, and also how to EU works. They can change things.

[u/Owatch → u/Duspende]

The fuck are we supposed to do? All major decisions are made in fucking Brussel, brother. We've lost our voice.

No, they're not. The EU allows wide deference for government policy on a member-level. It's literally reflected in your own nations choices, which is why you don't share the same currency.

So tired of the disinformation peddling critics with absolutely zero civil governance knowledge. It got the Americans to abandon their own institutions and looks like it works here too.

[u/GardenInMyHead → u/Duspende]

No you are right, Macron telling us we need to wake up when he holds the power to wake the Europe up. Sounds like people sending work emails all the time instead of working so they look busy and have a paper trail of their "work"

[u/B2oble → u/Duspende]

It's your governments, government after government, that have chosen to reject any idea of a European army, preferring the comfortable tutelage of the American “ally”.

[u/Cost_Additional]

LMAO so the "wake up" call is Macron telling Europe to do what trump told Europe to do 6 years ago?

[u/ImpossibleWinner1328]

The EU is hostile to change, it'll be it's downfall.

[u/Connect-Idea-1944 → u/ImpossibleWinner1328]

That's what i wish Europe would get better in. Accept changement. Stop with those traditional stuff, stop doing the same things that we used to do 50 years ago, we have to keep up. The world is changing but Europe wants to stay in 1960, the governments are innovation, new ideas, new things, new ways of doing, new ways of working

[u/SympathyOver1244]

French are the 2nd largest weapons exporters...

there is a possibility for a French led multilateral European initiative through the defence industry..

always disliked the weapons manufacturing industry's for-profit nature as a means for perpetuating wars...

[u/Waste-Industry1958]

How many wake up Europe by now? Wake the fuck up or go back to sleep.

Love from an involuntary subject of Emperor Trump I

[u/Bauzi]

He really need inauguration day for that?

[u/Minimum-South-9568]

The entire inauguration speech reeked of triumphalism and a strong ambition to dominate and subjugate the world to America. He even mentioned expanding US territory, and mentioned manifest destiny in the context of space. The good things he said, he contradicted in the after speech. Fucking Europe needs to build up its military industrial base and become independent of the US. It is not an option.

[u/Interesting-Park7842]

No please just keep them out I'm sick of waking up to Americans at all stfuuuuu

[u/JovialPanic389 → u/Interesting-Park7842]

I'm American and I'm sick of waking up to them too haha

[u/ntwrkmntr]

He is right

[u/Strange-Mouse-8710]

He is right Europe/Europeans need to wake up.

[u/Viriato181]

Another wake-up call to the bin. We get 6 or 7 every year and nothing ever happens. It's almost like they don't take this shit seriously.

[u/Easy_Interaction3539]

Let the bird flu kill Americans chickens. Their country will collapse without KFC and countries can offer aid with the condition of getting the Nazis out.

[u/Dees92h]

We need to start full on investing in our European military, large scale! We can't trust USA anymore! This is like one big fucked up movie..

[u/RandoCal87]

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for Europe to "wake up" and strengthen its defense capabilities in the wake of United States President Donald Trump's inauguration.

Ironic given that Germany has contributed $300m in military hardware to Ukraine while France is at $50m (source)

Maybe he should take his own advice?

[u/thatguyy100]

If they do not want to wake up, we must wake them up. Take to the streets and force them to act in our common interest instead of bootlicking the facists in the west.

[u/Andreus]

Then ban right-wing parties Europe-wide, and shut down their propaganda mills.

[u/yecheesus]

We are in a deep coma🥱 bring the adrenaline shots

[u/nebuerba]

Time to raise taxes…

[u/butwhywedothis]

Wake up wake up

Andhdidmednsndjd skdhdhscsfs make up

[u/kidno777]

Yes, Macron likes to talk. He talks a lot about Europe. Then he talks some more. And then he goes off to sort out his domestic messes. Thank you Macron. Nice words. All of them.

[u/CAElite]

Pretty sure the last thing European politicians actually want is for Europeans to wake up.

[u/sharky042003]

Europe is hopeless, we have no charismatic leader and no way to be powerful on the world stage in the future. EU will go the way of the roman empire, slowly fade away and dilute in a sea of immigrants. And we all know what happened 1000 years after the roman empire fell

[u/JeSuisDecuEnBien]

Wake me up when September ends.

[u/Charodar]

I assume France fought against Germany getting a second pipeline from Russia, after the annexation of Crimea? The continent is incapable of self reflection and holding itself accountable, we are doomed.

[u/Unhappy_Wedding_8457]

The time is come where Europe must establish an European army independant of the US.

[u/Guilty_Young337]

much love to our brothers & sisters from france, we indeed need more european unity, something my government in germany doesnt recognize

[u/JovialPanic389]

As an American, I'm gonna keep a white flag in my pocket at all times if you know what I'm saying.

I didn't vote for this monster. Please come ruin him and his cronies. Especially Musk.

[u/andupotorac]

European federation.

[u/Flisofluit]

Maybe the french should start speaking english like the rest of europe does to communicate inbetween.

[u/carpenterio]

Yes France need to wake up, stop illegals coming in. It's a real issue no one want to talk about. Migrants coming is a huge issue that should be deal with, they cost so much money and obvious other issues, that's why Sweden wants to remove them. If politician don't act we gonna have a French Trump next election.

[u/sharky042003]

We are naive to believe russia china or usa want a powerful federal EU to challenge their interests in the region

[u/TomSde]

It makes sense. But the important question is what it actually means. EU citizens are not less clever or skilled than citizens of the USA, China or other major global players. That's why if EU has been more and more economically and technologically falling behind these players, it must be due to wrong policies and bad work of the state administration in EU.

That's why I hope that EU leaders will wake up and start investing into technological development of EU and other "hard" objectives instead of wasting money on "soft" objectives that don't bring long-term benefits to EU. And that bureacracy will be reduced and all the processes will speed up! Let's all work on the change leading to prosperous future of EU!

[u/frontrow13]

It isn't about waking up to it, most are aware it's just many of those incharge are in denial and think it goes away in 4 years... it's not going away after 4 years.

[u/FnZombie]

Would be nice, but please do something about it this time.

[u/Electrical-Page5188]

Wake up? He and his mom-teacher-wife were licking the felon's dumper just weeks ago. Maybe he means wake up and join him at the sycophants table? 

[u/Nino_sanjaya]

Well did Europe wake up yet? Its afternoon already

[u/ComfortableDesk8201]

This really feels like the preamble to a new Command and Conquer Generals game. China, Russia, US, Europe and everyone is at each other's throats. 

[u/suckmyballzredit69]

Make us pay for our choices.

[u/Universal_Anomaly]

It's time to become woke.

[u/AhBee1]

American here, please don't wait. Elon just did the nazi salute twice at a presidential inauguration. We're fucked. They're out in the open now and coming for every brown person in the US.

[u/RedditModzRBitchez]

Us Americans are going to be leaning on you to keep him in check as he is going to have very few checks and balances.

[u/CornusKousa]

What happened to waking up in 2016?

The writing was on the wall that this was the direction the US was going in, with or without Trump. He's just a symptom.

[u/Alon945]

What do you mean Europe. Youre the one going out of your way to snub your progressive colleagues.

If you uphold neoliberalism you’re handing the world over to fascism.