France's Macron In Vietnam To Offer Third Way Between US, China
France's Emmanuel Macron will hold talks Monday in Vietnam at the start of his Southeast Asia tour, an opportunity to test his "Indo-Pacific strategy" in a region caught in the middle of the confrontation between the United States and China.
The French president arrived in Hanoi late Sunday, the first stop of a six-day trip that will also take in Indonesia and Singapore.
After paying tribute at a Hanoi war memorial to those who fought against French colonial occupation, Macron has a day of talks ahead.
The president will meet his counterpart Luong Cuong before lunch with Communist Party General Secretary To Lam at the capital's star attraction, the Temple of Literature.
Lam is considered the most powerful leader in Vietnam, a one-party state which tolerates no dissent and moves quickly to suppress any criticism.
Ahead of Macron's first official visit to the country, Human Rights Watch pressed him to voice concerns about "the Vietnamese government's worsening rights record".
Vietnam has more than 170 political prisoners who have been charged and convicted under "draconian laws" that criminalise free expression and peaceful activism for human rights and democracy, HRW said.
A public appeal would be out of character for the French president, who regularly says he prefers to raise sensitive issues behind closed doors.
Macron will focus attention on strengthening "cooperation in strategic sectors such as energy, transport and defence" while in Hanoi, according to an aide.
The French president also hopes to sell to Hanoi his offer of a "third way" between Washington and Beijing.
"Vietnam is really on the front line of all the tensions that are growing in the South China Sea," a senior French diplomatic official told AFP.
Hanoi shares Washington's concerns about Beijing's increasing assertiveness in the contested South China Sea, but it also has close economic ties with China.
Vietnam has also been threatened with a hefty 46 percent tariff by US President Donald Trump as part of his global trade blitz.
Macron's "Indo-Pacific strategy" -- which proposes a third way to the countries of the region -- has regained relevance due to Trump's trade war, according to the aide.
He said the president is "defending the idea of international trade rules, we don't want a jungle where the law of the strongest prevails".
Vietnam has been careful to follow its own balancing act between China and the United States. It has adopted a "bamboo diplomacy" approach of seeking strength through flexibility, or looking to stay on good terms with the world's major powers. Hanoi is the first stop on Emmanuel Macron's six-day regional tour, which will also take in Indonesia and Singapore AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
DW
4 hours ago
- DW
Why Israel's attacks aim to cripple Iran's energy sector – DW – 06/16/2025
As Israel and Iran attack each other with missiles, Tel Aviv is targeting especially vital energy infrastructure of its arch enemy, including key oil and gas facilities. What impact does that have on the Iranian economy. The escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, with both sides firing missiles and drones at each other, has even unsettled global energy markets. Israeli attacks on Saturday targeted Iran's energy infrastructure, including vital oil storage sites, refineries and power stations. Among the locations targeted was the massive South Pars gas field, which is part of the world's largest reservoir of natural gas. It's located off Iran's southern Bushehr province and is the source of most of the gas produced in Iran. Iran shares control over the South Pars gas field with neighboring Qatar, which calls the reservoir under its control North Dome. The attack, which forced Tehran to partially suspend production at the field, raised the prospect of a widening conflict threatening Iranian energy production and supply. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has slammed Israel for targeting South Pars, saying it was an attempt "to expand the war beyond" Iran. "Dragging the conflict into the Persian Gulf region is a major strategic mistake, likely deliberate and intended to extend the war beyond Iranian territory," news agency AFP quoted Araghchi as saying during a meeting with foreign diplomats. Iran's heavy reliance on hydrocarbons Iran is a major player in the global energy sector, with the country home to the world's second-largest proven natural gas reserves, according to the United States Energy Information Administration (EIA). Data from the intergovernmental organization, Gas Exporting Countries Forum , show the country produced about 266.25 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2023, with domestic consumption accounting for 255.5 bcm. About 15.8 bcm of natural gas were exported. When it comes to oil, Iran holds the world's third-largest crude reserves, or about 9% of the total proved oil reserves worldwide. The country extracts daily about 3.3 million barrels of crude and another 1.3 million barrels of condensate and other liquids, of which it exports around 1.8 million barrels, according to Brussels, Belgium-based data analytics firm Kpler. Iran is the third-largest oil producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). The income it generated from energy exports account for a sizeable chunk of government revenues and foreign exchange reserves. A report by EIA suggests Iran earned $144 billion (€138.5 billion) in oil export revenues in the three years from 2021 to 2023. "Iran uses several obfuscation techniques such as turning off its ship identification signals, applying ship-to-ship transfers, or relabeling cargoes as originating from other countries for both crude oil and oil products, which increases the challenge of providing precise export data," the report said. China remains a big importer of Iranian crude, with the country importing 1.71 million bpd in March, up 20% from 1.43 million bpd in February, news agency Reuters reported. Iran has been trying to obscure its oil export including by ship-to-ship transfers Image: picture alliance/ASSOCIATED PRESS The price of crude oil surged late last week after the Israel-Iran strikes began but it has since retreated, with both main oil contracts dropping by over 1% on Monday. If Israel intensifies its targeting of Iranian energy facilities, however, it could trigger a spike in global oil and gas prices. Sanctions cripple Iranian economy Despite Iran's vast hydrocarbon reserves, much of its potential remains untapped. Iranian officials acknowledge that the country needs advanced technology and billions of dollars in new investment to modernize its oil and gas sectors. But the Middle Eastern country is subject to one of the most stringent sanction regimes in the world, hampering its trade and investment opportunities. While a landmark nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers in 2015 promised sanctions relief in exchange for Iran restricting its nuclear activities, US President Donald Trump, withdrew the US unilaterally from the agreement in 2018 and reimposed sanctions during his first term in office. The Western sanctions, aimed at curbing Tehran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, have targeted Iran's oil exports, banking and shipping, among other sectors. They have also severely curtailed Tehran's natural gas exports in recent years. The measures have effectively crippled the Iranian economy, which is currently reeling from a raft of crises such as soaring inflation and a collapsing currency. Israel pounds Iran from west to east To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Blackouts in an energy-rich country Decades of mismanagement and geopolitical tensions have compounded the economic problems. Despite its vast oil and gas resources, Iran has been struggling with energy shortages amid declining production, outdated equipment and a lack of investment in infrastructure. Meanwhile, Iran relies heavily on natural gas for domestic consumption, particularly for electricity generation. Additionally, more than 95% of Iranian households are also connected to gas pipelines, and energy subsidies have resulted in overconsumption. In recent years, the mullah regime has beenforced to impose rolling power blackouts affecting both homes and factories to cope with spikes in electricity demand. Even Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in May criticized what he called the country's "excessive and inappropriate consumption" of electricity. Edited by: Uwe Hessler
DW
7 hours ago
- DW
Israel says weapons exhibits blocked off at Paris Air Show – DW – 06/16/2025
The Israeli Defense Ministry posted pictures of defense industry stands covered by black partition walls. The ministry slammed the move as "outrageous and unprecedented." Israeli defense industry exhibitions have been covered in black partition walls at the prestigious Paris Air Show, after reportedly failing to comply with a directive to remove offensive weapons from being displayed. Israel's Defense Ministry posted up a statement on social media along with pictures, showing Israeli defense company stands sealed off with black walls, preventing anyone from seeing what lay behind the walls. Rafael, Elbit and IAI produce guided bombs and missiles, while Uvision and Aeronautics produce drones. Pictures posted up along with a statement by the Defense Ministry showed various weapons systems on display. Israel accuses France of 'ugly and improper' behaviour The incident comes as Israel trades deadly airstrikes with Iran and almost two years into its campaign in Gaza, which has killed more than 55,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry. "The French are hiding behind supposedly political considerations to exclude Israeli offensive weapons from an international exhibition — weapons that compete with French industries," the ministry said in a statement Monday, calling the action "ugly and improper." The Reuters news agency cited a source familiar with the matter as saying the instruction to seal off the exhibits came from French authorities after Israeli firms failed to comply with a directive from a French security agency to remove offensive or kinetic weapons from the stands. Israel's Defense Ministry said its director general, Amir Baram, had rejected the request. In a statement, the ministry called the move an "unprecedented decision, that gives off the scent of political and commercial considerations." Israeli firms reportedly failed to comply with a directive from a French security agency to remove offensive or kinetic weapons from the stands Image: Michael Euler/AP Photo/picture alliance Sylvain Pavillet, a lawyer working with the air show organizers, said the final decision on who is allowed to exhibit lies with the French government, not the show itself. "The fair is not the one who decides which countries are allowed to go to the show or not," he told the Associated Press. "That decision belongs to the government. We are not a state. We are a commercial company." Organizers still seeking 'favourable outcome' While there has been no immediate comment from the French government regarding any move to block Israeli exhibitions, the air show's organiser said in a statement that it was in talks to try to help "the various parties find a favourable outcome to the situation." Friday saw a French appeals court rule against activists who had been seeking to block Israeli companies from participation at the show due to the ongoing war in Gaza. In recent weeks, French President Emmanuel Macron warned that a tougher position against Israel may be needed in light of the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Macron at the time warned that France would even consider sanctioning Israeli settlers. Edited by:
Local Germany
7 hours ago
- Local Germany
German army struggles for fresh recruits as conscription threat grows
The main event took place Sunday next to the parliament in Berlin, with the armed forces, known as the Bundeswehr, setting up booths, as well as a free outdoor concert, food trucks and games for children. Due to pacifist traditions stemming from its dark World War II history, Germany has generally been reluctant to honour the military so publicly. But attitudes are changing since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, prompting Berlin to launch a drive to overhaul its long-neglected armed forces. Doubts about US commitment to Europe's security under President Donald Trump are also adding impetus to the efforts. Nowadays there is "more encouragement for us soldiers" from the public, Maik Mutschke, a 39-year-old former soldier who was severely injured in Afghanistan in 2010, told AFP at the event. "Twenty years ago, wearing a uniform was frowned upon," said Jens Ruths, who lost the use of a leg after stepping on a mine in Kosovo in 1999. But now, "taxi drivers and people we meet on the street thank us more than before," said the 47-year-old. Modelled after the American tradition, the first ever German "Veterans Day" was dedicated to active-duty soldiers as well as true veterans, with some 130 events held nationwide. Advertisement Regional daily the Koelner Stadt-Anzeiger, based in the western city of Cologne, said the event would "usher in a new era" as Germany "discovers its army". This sentiment was echoed at the Berlin event, where Petra Muhl, a 46-year-old former soldier, said Germans were increasingly worried that "war is getting closer", following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. "People naturally realise they need an army," said Muhl. 'Struggling to recruit' Former chancellor Olaf Scholz began the military overhaul by announcing more funds for the armed forces, which had shrunk substantially since the end of the Cold War and German reunification. New Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who took office in May, has gone further by largely exempting defence spending from Germany's strict debt rules, and pledging to build up "the strongest conventional army in Europe". Advertisement But the Bundeswehr -- which has a target of boosting the number of its soldiers from 181,000 currently to 203,000 by 2031 -- is struggling to recruit. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has upped the ante even more, saying the army will require up to 60,000 additional troops under new NATO requirements due to the Russian threat. It is hoped that events like "Veterans Day" can "motivate people... to become reservists or enlist as soldiers", said Anna-Maria Jeremic, a 21-year-old reservist. But some fear such efforts will not be enough, and calls are growing for a return of conscription, which was officially suspended in 2011. Economic daily Handelsblatt recently reported that a draft law is being prepared to reinstate conscription if recruitment targets are not met. Pistorius has not confirmed this, but did suggest in parliament last month that the recruitment drive may not remain voluntary. The government was hoping to create a "military service that is initially based on voluntary participation and is intended to encourage young people to serve their country", he said. "And I say quite deliberately and honestly, the emphasis is on 'initially' in case we cannot recruit enough volunteers."
