<h2 class=" eplus-wrapper" id="crosshead">Friends like these</h2>

French is something of a vague language. It makes little distinction between "expect" and "wait for", for example. Mulberries and blackberries are both "mures". "Boring" and "annoying" are the same word.

So it should perhaps be no surprise that the comments made by French president Emmanuel MacronThe current president of France, nicknamed "Jupiter" after the chief of the Roman deities for his top-down manner of governance. in China this week, in which he said Europe should not be "followers" of the USA in its disputes with its Asian rival, have been interpreted in very different ways.

Critics accuse him of cuddling up to Xi JinpingThe president of China, who has concentrated power and removed term limits allowing him to serve for life., abandoning TaiwanAn island country in east Asia. China still claims to be the legitimate owner of Taiwan, while the Taiwanese government until recently claimed to be the legitimate government of the whole of China., and breaking ranks with the rest of the western world.

Macron and his supporters insist he is not calling for a break with the USA. He just believes Europe should find its own path.

Whatever he meant to say, his comments have touched a nerve - because the USA fears its grip on Europe is slipping.

For decades, the USA could count on its European allies to stand by it. Today, however, things are different. The USA was shocked by its European partners' sluggish response to the invasion of Ukraine. It suspected Germany and France were too intent on keeping natural gasHydrocarbon-rich gases that are found naturally in the atmosphere. A fossil fuel energy source. flowing from Russia to stand with its ally.

Europe is even more dependent on China than on Russia. China accounts for 20% of EU importsGoods or services bought in one country that were produced in another. .¹

And in Europe, public opinion has turned against the USA. The last few years have cast doubt on its political stability. Fully one-third of Europeans say Americans cannot be trusted to make good decisions.²

So some fear that if the USA and China end up at loggerheadsIn dispute with - likely stemming from a 17th-century word for a tool used for heating liquids. Loggerheads is also the name of two British villages., Europe will not necessarily side with its old ally.

But others say nothing much has changed. After all, France has often refused to go along with US interests. In 2003, for example, it refused to support the US invasion of IraqA country in the Middle East with a population of 43.5m. .

Yes: The EU might have been slow to act on Russia, but it has rallied round. Now it is trying to reduce its dependence on China as well. The US still rules the roost.

No: Many in Europe are starting to wonder how much they benefit from supporting US interests. Some think they might benefit more from a world where US and Chinese power counterbalance each other.

Or... Europe might chafe against US demands, but it is not certain what it can achieve through a more independent foreign policy. It certainly does not want to become a vassalA person or state in a subordinate position to another. of China. So it will probably default back to the USA.

Emmanuel Macron - The current president of France, nicknamed "Jupiter" after the chief of the Roman deities for his top-down manner of governance.

Xi Jinping - The president of China, who has concentrated power and removed term limits allowing him to serve for life.

Taiwan - An island country in east Asia. China still claims to be the legitimate owner of Taiwan, while the Taiwanese government until recently claimed to be the legitimate government of the whole of China.

Natural gas - Hydrocarbon-rich gases that are found naturally in the atmosphere. A fossil fuel energy source.

Imports - Goods or services bought in one country that were produced in another.

Loggerheads - In dispute with - likely stemming from a 17th-century word for a tool used for heating liquids. Loggerheads is also the name of two British villages.

Iraq - A country in the Middle East with a population of 43.5m.

Vassal - A person or state in a subordinate position to another.