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Kuwait Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
France's Macron calls for world order 'based on law' in Vietnam
HANOI: French President Emmanuel Macron called Monday for the preservation of a world order "based on law", as he started a tour of Southeast Asia, a region caught up in the confrontation between the United States and China. Macron said a rules-based order was necessary at "a time of both great imbalance and a return to power-driven rhetoric and intimidation", as he met his Vietnamese counterpart Luong Cuong in Hanoi. Washington is threatening to impose punishing trade levies on Vietnam, which has the third-largest trade surplus with the US after China and Mexico. Macron also had a message for Donald Trump, saying he hoped the US president's anger at Moscow "translates into action" after a weekend of deadly Russian attacks on Ukraine that came despite a push for a truce. Macron told reporters he believes "President Trump realizes that when President Putin said on the phone he was ready for peace, or told his envoys he was ready for peace, he lied". He added that he was "confident" trade talks between the European Union and United States would succeed, hoping that tariffs would be dialed back to "as low as possible". Macron sought to present France as a reliable alternative for Vietnam, which is caught between Washington's tariff threats on one hand and Beijing, an important trade partner with which it is also embroiled in territorial disputes in the South China Sea, on the other. "With France, you have a familiar, safe, and reliable friend," Macron said during a meeting with To Lam, the secretary general of the Communist Party and Vietnam's top leader. "In the period we are living in, this alone has great value," he added. Seeking access to Vietnam's surging economy, Macron said nearly nine billion euros worth of contracts had been signed during his visit. Budget airline Vietjet announced an order for 20 widebody Airbus A330-900 planes, doubling its purchases of the model from the aviation giant. An agreement was also signed on nuclear power, which Hanoi is keen to develop as it seeks to meet soaring energy demands while reducing carbon emissions. Rights call Macron arrived in Hanoi late Sunday, the first stop of a six-day trip that will include Indonesia and Singapore. He is scheduled to meet Vietnamese students on Tuesday morning, before flying to Jakarta in the afternoon. After paying tribute Monday at a Hanoi war memorial to those who fought against French colonial occupation, Macron had lunch with Lam at the capital's Temple of Literature, where the two watched a traditional music and dance performance. 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 criminalize 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. Vietnam on 'front line' Hanoi shares Washington's concerns about Beijing's increasing assertiveness in the contested South China Sea, but it has close economic ties with its giant neighbor. "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. 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 offers countries in the region a "third way" — has gained new relevance due to Trump's trade war, according to the aide. He said the president was "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. — AFP
The Star
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Macron: Keep order intact
Sensational sights: Macron (centre) with Lam and their respective wives Brigitte Macron and Ngo Phuong Ly visiting the Temple of Literature in Hanoi. — AFP France's Emmanuel Macron called in Vietnam for the preservation of a world order 'based on law', as he started a tour of South-East Asia, a region caught up in the confrontation between the United States and China. During a press statement alongside his Vietnamese counterpart Luong Cuong in Hanoi, Macron said a rules-based order was necessary at 'a time of both great imbalance and a return to power-driven rhetoric and intimidation'. The president presented France as a reliable alternative for Vietnam, caught between Washington, which is threatening to impose enormous levies on its exports to the United States, and Beijing, an important trade partner with which it is also embroiled in territorial disputes in the South China Sea. After his arrival in Hanoi late Sunday, the first stop of a six-day trip that will take in Indonesia and Singapore, Macron emphasised a shared vision with Vietnam, a country of 100 million people experiencing stellar growth. Yesterday, around a dozen agreements were signed between the two countries, including in the field of nuclear power, which Hanoi is keen to develop as it seeks to meet soaring energy demands. Budget airline Vietjet also announced an order for 20 widebody Airbus A330-900 planes, doubling its purchases of the model from the aviation giant in a deal worth an estimated US$8bil (RM33.8bil). 'It is truly a new page being written between our two countries ... a desire to write an even more ambitious page of the relationship between Vietnam and France, between Asean and the European Union,' Macron said. After paying tribute at a Hanoi war memorial to those who fought against French colonial occupation, Macron met his counterpart Cuong. Macron later had 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 hopes to sell Hanoi his offer of a 'third way' between Washington and Beijing. Macron's 'Indo-Pacific strategy' – which proposes a third way to the countries of the region – has gained new relevance due to Trump's trade war, according to the aide. He said the president was 'defending the idea of international trade rules, we don't want a jungle where the law of the strongest prevails'. — AFP
The Star
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
France's Macron calls for world order 'based on law' in Vietnam; denies 'domestic dispute' with wife after plane video
HANOI (AFP): French President Emmanuel Macron called Monday for the preservation of a world order "based on law", as he started a tour of South-East Asia, a region caught up in the confrontation between the United States and China. Macron said a rules-based order was necessary at "a time of both great imbalance and a return to power-driven rhetoric and intimidation", as he met his Vietnamese counterpart Luong Cuong in Hanoi. He presented France as a reliable alternative for Vietnam, caught between Washington, which is threatening to impose trade levies, and Beijing, an important trade partner with which it is also embroiled in territorial disputes in the South China Sea. "With France, you have a familiar, safe, and reliable friend (...) and in the period we are living in, this alone has great value," Macron said during a meeting with To Lam, the secretary general of the Communist Party and Vietnam's top leader. The two countries signed around a dozen agreements on Monday, including in the field of nuclear power, which Hanoi is keen to develop as it seeks to meet soaring energy demands while reducing carbon emissions. Budget airline Vietjet also announced an order for 20 widebody Airbus A330-900 planes, doubling its purchases of the model from the aviation giant in a deal worth an estimated $8 billion. "It is truly a new page being written between our two countries... a desire to write an even more ambitious page of the relationship between Vietnam and France, between Asean and the European Union," Macron said. - Call to raise rights issue - Macron arrived in Hanoi late Sunday, the first stop of a six-day trip that will take in Indonesia and Singapore. After paying tribute Monday at a Hanoi war memorial to those who fought against French colonial occupation, Macron had lunch with Lam at the capital's Temple of Literature, where the two watched a traditional music and dance performance. 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. France's President Emmanuel Macron's wife Brigitte Macron (centre L) and Ngo Phuong Ly (centre R), the wife of Vietnam's Communist Party General Secretary To Lam, look at an exhibit at the Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts in Hanoi on Monday, May 26, 2025. -- Photo by AFP - Vietnam on 'front line' - Macron hopes to sell 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 waterway, but it has close economic ties with its giant neighbour. 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 gained new relevance due to Trump's trade war, according to the aide. He said the president was "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. - No bust-up with wife - Macron also denied Monday any "domestic dispute" with his wife Brigitte after a video appeared to show her shoving his face away as they arrived in Vietnam for a diplomatic visit. They were "joking as we often do", he told reporters in Hanoi, adding that other videos had been misinterpreted as showing him sharing a bag of cocaine or confronting the Turkish president. "None of these are true," he said, and "everyone needs to calm down". -- Report by Francesco FONTEMAGGI - AFP
Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
France's Macron calls for world order ‘based on law' in Vietnam
French President Emmanuel Macron said a rules-based order was necessary at 'a time of both great imbalance and a return to power-driven rhetoric and intimidation' PHOTO: AFP HANOI - French President Emmanuel Macron called on May 26 for the preservation of a world order 'based on law', as he started a tour of South-east Asia, a region caught up in the confrontation between the United States and China. Mr Macron said a rules-based order was necessary at 'a time of both great imbalance and a return to power-driven rhetoric and intimidation', as he met his Vietnamese counterpart Luong Cuong in Hanoi. He presented France as a reliable alternative for Vietnam, caught between Washington, which is threatening to impose trade levies, and Beijing, an important trade partner with which it is also embroiled in territorial disputes in the South China Sea. 'With France, you have a familiar, safe, and reliable friend ... and in the period we are living in, this alone has great value,' Mr Macron said during a meeting with Mr To Lam, the secretary-general of the Communist Party and Vietnam's top leader. The two countries signed around a dozen agreements on May 26, including in the field of nuclear power, which Hanoi is keen to develop as it seeks to meet soaring energy demands while reducing carbon emissions. Budget airline Vietjet also announced an order for 20 widebody Airbus A330-900 planes, doubling its purchases of the model from the aviation giant in a deal worth an estimated US$8 billion (S$10.27 billion). 'It is truly a new page being written between our two countries... a desire to write an even more ambitious page of the relationship between Vietnam and France, between Asean and the European Union,' Mr Macron said. Call to raise rights issue Mr Macron arrived in Hanoi late on May 25, the first stop of a six-day trip that will take in Indonesia and Singapore. After paying tribute on May 26 at a Hanoi war memorial to those who fought against French colonial occupation, Mr Macron had lunch with Mr Lam at the capital's Temple of Literature, where the two watched a traditional music and dance performance. Mr 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 Mr Macron's first official visit to the country, Human Rights Watch (HRW) 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. Vietnam on 'front line' Mr Macron hopes to sell 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 waterway, but it has close economic ties with its giant neighbour. Vietnam has also been threatened with a hefty 46 per cent tariff by US President Donald Trump as part of his global trade blitz. Mr Macron's 'Indo-Pacific strategy' – which proposes a third way to the countries of the region – has gained new relevance due to Mr Trump's trade war, according to the aide. He said the president was '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. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
France's Emmanuel Macron calls for world order 'based on law' in Vietnam
France's President Emmanuel Macron called in Vietnam on Monday (May 26, 2025) for the preservation of a world order "based on law", as he started a tour of Southeast Asia, a region caught up in the confrontation between the United States and China. During a press statement alongside his Vietnamese counterpart, Luong Cuong, in Hanoi, Mr. Macron said a rules-based order was necessary at "a time of both great imbalance and a return to power-driven rhetoric and intimidation." The President presented France as a reliable alternative for Vietnam, caught between Washington, which is threatening to impose enormous levies on its exports to the United States, and Beijing, an important trade partner with which it is also embroiled in territorial disputes in the South China Sea. After his arrival in Hanoi on Sunday (May 25, 2025), the first stop of a six-day trip that will take in Indonesia and Singapore, Mr. Macron emphasised a shared vision with Vietnam, a country of 100 million people experiencing stellar growth. On Monday (May 26, 2025), around a dozen agreements were signed between the two countries, including in the field of nuclear power, which Hanoi is keen to develop as it seeks to meet soaring energy demands. Budget airline Vietjet also announced an order for 20 widebody Airbus A330-900 planes, doubling its purchases of the model from the aviation giant in a deal worth an estimated $8 billion. "It is truly a new page being written between our two countries... a desire to write an even more ambitious page of the relationship between Vietnam and France, between ASEAN and the European Union," President Macron said. After paying tribute at a Hanoi war memorial to those who fought against French colonial occupation, President Macron met his counterpart, Vietnam President Luong Cuong. The French President later had lunch with Communist Party General Secretary, Tô Lâm, at the capital's star attraction, the Temple of Literature. Mr. Lâm is considered the most powerful leader in Vietnam, a one-party state that tolerates no dissent and moves quickly to suppress any criticism. Ahead of Mr. Macron's first official visit to the country, Human Rights Watch (HRW) 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. Vietnam on 'front line' Mr. Macron hopes to sell 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 waterway, but it has close economic ties with its giant neighbour. Vietnam has also been threatened with a hefty 46% tariff by U.S. President Donald Trump as part of his global trade blitz. Mr. Macron's "Indo-Pacific strategy," which proposes a third way to the countries of the region, has gained new relevance owing to Trump's trade war, according to the aide. He said the President was "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.
