Macron Calls on Europe to Act Like a Global Power Amid Rising Threats

By Harshit
PARIS, FEBRUARY 10, 2026 —

French President Emmanuel Macron has issued one of his strongest warnings yet to Europe’s political leadership, urging the continent to finally assert itself as a global power in a rapidly fragmenting world order shaped by China, Russia, and an increasingly unpredictable United States.

Speaking to a group of leading European newspapers ahead of a crucial EU summit in Brussels later this week, Macron said Europe is facing a historic “wake-up call” and can no longer afford to behave as a passive economic bloc dependent on others for security, energy, and strategic direction.

“Are we ready to become a power?” Macron asked. “This is the question in the field of economy and finance, in defence and security, and in our democratic systems.”

A Turning Point for the European Project

Macron framed the current moment as a decisive test for the European Union, arguing that the original goals of peace and economic integration are no longer sufficient in a world defined by geopolitical rivalry, climate instability, and technological competition.

“In another era we might have said it is the moment to assume our majority,” he said, using a phrase that implies Europe must now take responsibility commensurate with its size and wealth.

The EU, home to roughly 450 million people, has long been one of the world’s largest markets. But Macron said it has consistently refused to think of itself in terms of power — militarily, financially, or strategically.

“We came together to stop war. We came together to build a market. But we always forbade ourselves to think of power,” he said.

Push for Eurobonds and Shared Debt

At the center of Macron’s proposal is a renewed call for EU-wide mutualised borrowing — often referred to as eurobonds — to finance large-scale industrial and strategic investments.

Macron said Europe needs €1.2 trillion per year to secure its future in key sectors such as defence, clean energy, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing.

“The time has come to launch a shared debt capacity to fund our future expenses,” he said. “Eurobonds for the future. We need big European programmes to finance the best projects.”

Such proposals have historically faced resistance, particularly from Germany and fiscally conservative northern European states, which fear that shared debt would force them to underwrite countries with weaker public finances — notably France.

Macron Admits France’s Weaknesses

In a rare moment of candor, Macron acknowledged that France’s own economic model has been a source of tension within Europe.

“France has never had a balanced model, unlike certain economies of the north,” he said, adding that Paris failed to carry out deep structural reforms comparable to those undertaken by Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Greece in the 2010s.

Those reforms, he admitted, are now “paying dividends.”

Still, Macron argued that global financial conditions are shifting in Europe’s favor. He said investors are increasingly uneasy about overreliance on the US dollar.

“The world markets are increasingly afraid of the American greenback. They want alternatives,” he said.

A World of Shrinking Certainties

Macron painted a bleak picture of Europe’s external environment, warning that long-held assumptions no longer apply.

The United States, he said, can no longer be taken for granted as Europe’s permanent security guarantor. Russia, once a dependable source of cheap energy, has become an adversary since the invasion of Ukraine. And China, he warned, is no longer just a trading partner but an increasingly aggressive systemic rival.

“Today Europe faces a massive challenge, in a world of disorder,” Macron said.
“Climate change is accelerating. The US — which we thought would guarantee our security forever — is no longer sure. Russia was to give us cheap energy forever, but that stopped three years ago. China has become a rival that gets fiercer and fiercer.”

Protecting European Industry Without Protectionism

Macron also called for a more assertive European industrial policy, arguing that Europe remains uniquely exposed because of its openness.

“The Chinese do it. The Americans do it. Europe today is the most open market in the world,” he said.

He stopped short of advocating outright protectionism, but insisted the EU must stop imposing stricter rules on its own producers than on foreign competitors.

“It’s a question of coherence — not imposing on our own producers rules we do not impose on non-Europeans.”

Warning Over US Pressure and Greenland

Asked about the recent confrontation with Washington over Greenland — after US President Donald Trump appeared to back away from threats to annex the Danish territory — Macron cautioned against complacency.

“At the end of a crisis, there is a cowardly tendency to sit back and say ‘phew,’” he said.
“There are threats and intimidation, and then suddenly Washington gives way. And people think it’s over.”

Macron stressed that Europe should interpret such episodes as warnings, not reassurances.

“We Are On Our Own — But Together”

Despite the gravity of his message, Macron ended on a note of guarded optimism, insisting that Europe’s scale and democratic foundations remain its greatest strengths.

“Today, we Europeans are on our own. But we have each other,” he said.
“We are 450 million people. It’s huge. For me, becoming a power is the fulfilment of the European adventure.”

As EU leaders prepare to meet in Brussels, Macron’s remarks raise a fundamental question that has haunted the bloc for decades: whether Europe is ready to match its economic weight with political will — or remain a giant that refuses to act like one.