French President Emmanuel Macron landed in Vietnam on Sunday, beginning a six-day regional tour of Southeast Asia designed to make France a reliable friend separate from rival United States and Chinese influences.
Macron begins in Hanoi, where on Monday he will meet Vietnam’s leadership and on Tuesday representatives of Vietnam’s energy sector. With France’s civil nuclear expertise in the foreground, Macron is set to showcase collaboration opportunities in the energy transition, focusing on Vietnam and Indonesia both, which are considering nuclear energy alternatives, with France facing competition from other world players such as Russia.
Prior to leaving for the region, Macron had reaffirmed France’s resolve to sovereign partnerships and world stability. “France is a power of peace and balance,” Macron posted on social media. “Where others pull back, France builds bridges.”
The visit of the French president is made at a time when nations in Southeast Asia are trying to navigate increased geopolitical pressure from Beijing and Washington. Presidential aides say Macron will promote multilateral trade rules under a framework that excludes both the protectionist tariffs of the U.S. as well as China’s aggressive trade and territorial practices, especially in the South China Sea.
In Indonesia, Macron is set to see ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn on Wednesday. On Friday, in Singapore, Macron will give the keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue Asia’s top security and defense gathering where he is likely to connect Russia’s conflict in Ukraine to wider regional instability, including Pyongyang’s involvement and Moscow’s military aid.
Macron is also trying to deal with Western double standards in world conflicts, particularly Gaza. His aides emphasized his intent to learn about regional sensitivities and pursue peace initiatives in the Middle East.
Through the promotion of dialogue and cooperation, Macron is trying to establish a stronger French role in Indo-Pacific affairs.
