Behind the Curtain: How Macron’s China Visit Undermines America’s Strategic Interests

French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent state visit to Beijing is being hailed as a diplomatic success by some, but beneath the surface lies a troubling pivot that risks undermining American strategic interests. At a time when China continues to support Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and expand its global influence, Macron’s overtures to Xi Jinping threaten to fracture Western unity and weaken the resolve of democracies committed to freedom and sovereignty.

Is Europe Selling Out America’s Security for Economic Gains?

Macron publicly called on China to pressure Russia toward a ceasefire in Ukraine—a nod to Washington-led peace efforts. Yet, despite these words, Xi refrained from committing to any concrete action, instead offering vague support for “efforts that work towards peace.” This evasiveness aligns with Beijing’s ongoing strategy: maintain plausible deniability while bolstering Kremlin-backed aggression through economic lifelines and diplomatic cover.

For years, China has been an economic engine for the Kremlin amid sanctions imposed by America and its allies. By deepening trade ties during this state visit—including deals on aerospace, nuclear energy, AI, and green technologies—Xi signals Beijing’s intent not only to strengthen its foothold in Europe but also to chip away at alliances anchored by shared values of liberty and rule of law.

The European Union already faces a staggering trade deficit with China—over $348 billion last year—with France alone accounting for nearly half. Macron’s willingness to overlook these imbalances under the guise of multilateralism illustrates a dangerous short-sightedness that ignores how economic dependence on authoritarian regimes compromises national sovereignty.

China’s Divide-and-Conquer Strategy Threatens Western Cohesion

Experts warn that Beijing is employing classic divide-and-conquer tactics by striking bilateral deals with influential EU members like France. This strategy risks undermining unified Western responses to Chinese geopolitical ambitions—ambitions that run counter to America’s ‘America First’ agenda advocating robust defense of free markets and secure borders.

This trip also highlights the uncomfortable truth about European leadership’s priorities. While American policymakers champion resilience against authoritarian overreach—strengthening supply chains, securing energy independence, supporting Ukraine—the French leadership appears more focused on capturing short-term economic gains without fully appreciating the long-term consequences of empowering a regime hostile to democratic ideals.

The symbolic gestures surrounding Macron’s visit—from military fanfare at the Great Hall of the People to cultural exchanges involving giant pandas—mask an unsettling reality: Europe’s drift toward accommodating China’s authoritarian model threatens global order pillars that have preserved peace for decades.

As Americans watch these developments unfold thousands of miles away, they must ask themselves: How long will our allies tolerate partnerships that risk their own freedom—and by extension ours? The Biden administration must hold firm in promoting policies rooted in national sovereignty and push back against any efforts that empower adversaries disguised as partners.