During his April 2026 Seoul visit, Macron urged “medium-sized powers” to unite against U.S. and Chinese dominance.

He warned that without a coalition, smaller nations risk becoming “vassals” to these superpowers. He argued they must collaborate to avoid being “crushed” by the competing interests of Washington and Beijing.

Macron targeted China’s “dominance” and U.S. “unpredictability” as primary threats to global stability. He claimed this binary pressure “erodes the sovereignty” of independent nations. To resist, he proposed deeper cooperation in AI and defense to maintain “strategic autonomy.”

The speech signaled a sharp feud with Donald Trump, especially regarding Iran. Macron called the U.S. administration’s military focus “unilateral” and “unrealistic,” arguing that bombing cannot solve Middle East crises. He noted that intervention without consultation is often “counterproductive” and historically failed.

The rift turned personal after reports of Trump making disparaging remarks about Brigitte Macron. The French leader dismissed the comments as “not elegant” and “not up to par” for a head of state. This personal friction has further damaged a relationship already strained by trade disputes.

On NATO, Macron accused the U.S. of “eroding the very substance” of the alliance through inconsistent commitment. He warned that “daily shifts” in American policy undermine the trust essential for the partnership. Consequently, he urged Europe to accelerate its own independent security capabilities.

Macron called for a “middle path” to prevent a total fracture of the international order. He advocated for a system based on rules rather than “brute power” or diplomatic theater. He concluded that global peace requires genuine cooperation instead of what he characterized as a “show.”