Macron Criticizes U.S. Foreign Policy Shift and Urges Strengthening of European Tech Regulations

On January 8, 2026, French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a pointed critique of the evolving U.S. foreign policy during his annual address to French ambassadors. Macron lamented that the United States is "progressively turning away" from some allies and increasingly ignoring international rules, contributing to a climate marked by "neocolonial aggression" and diminishing effectiveness of multilateral institutions. He highlighted that global power dynamics now reflect competition among major powers rather than cooperative internationalism.

In this context, Macron emphasized the urgency for Europe to defend and consolidate its technological regulations, particularly the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which have come under criticism from Washington. Strengthening these regulations is seen as vital to preserving Europe's digital sovereignty amid heightened geopolitical tensions.

Furthermore, Macron called for the acceleration of the European trade preference calendar and advocated for simplifying the European Union's capital market to make it more tangible and effective. These measures aim to leverage the EU's significant population of 450 million to bolster economic resilience and sovereignty.

This speech comes amid a backdrop of significant technological advances showcased globally, such as innovative AI-powered home robots and virtual vehicle operation systems, signaling a rapidly evolving tech landscape where European regulatory frameworks must keep pace.

Macron's comments underscore a strategic pivot for Europe to assert greater autonomy in both geopolitical and technological arenas as the global order shifts.