European disunity on China is now on full display.
This after France's President said in an interview on Friday that Europe should not fuel the conflict over Taiwan.
"Is it in our interest to accelerate a crisis on Taiwan? No."
That from French President Emmanuel Macron who was interviewed by French newspaper Les Echos and Politico Europe last Friday.
In it, he admitted Europe should not become followers of China and the United States over the conflict in Taiwan.
Macron spoke to reporters on his way home from a three-day visit to China where he met twice with President Xi Jinping, including about Taiwan.
Macron's comments kicked up a hornet's nest on social media where Germany lawmakers slammed his China trip as a foreign policy disaster for Europe.
Likening the situation to the Ukraine crisis, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio insists, Macron no longer speaks for Europe.
The Republican Senator for Florida said in a video posted on Twitter,
"No. 1: Europe has, including France specifically, has depended heavily on the United States for 70 years for their own defence. If, in fact, Macron speaks for all of Europe, and their position now is they're not going to pick sides between the U.S. and China over Taiwan, then maybe we shouldn't be picking sides either (on Ukraine)."
While the spokesperson for the French embassy in America claimed Macron's comments had been overinterpreted, the White House insists U.S.-French relations remain stronger than ever.
John Kirby, the National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator, assured, "We're very comfortable and confident in the strong alliance, in the strong friendship that exists between our two countries."
"There's a lot of terrific bilateral cooperation just alone between the United States and France. We're focused on making sure that together we're meeting the national security requirements of both our peoples," he added.
Later today, Macron will begin his two-day state visit to the Netherlands where he'll be speaking about European sovereignty.
Still, China cast the talks in a positive light.
It said the trilateral meeting last week fostered a steady and long-term development of China's ties with France and the European Union.
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