Speaking in interviews with Jeune Afrique and The Africa Report during a two-day economic summit in Nairobi, Macron said Europe remained committed to multilateralism, the rule of law and open trade while global powers increasingly pursued confrontational economic policies.

“Europe defends the international order, effective multilateralism, the rule of law, free and open trade,” Macron said, drawing a distinction between European policy and the intensifying trade rivalry between the United States and China.

The French leader accused China of creating economic dependencies through its control of critical minerals and rare earth supply chains, arguing that Beijing prioritizes domestic processing while limiting broader industrial development elsewhere.“China operates according to a predatory logic,” Macron said, adding that Europe instead aimed to build “a strategy of autonomy” shared between African and European economies.

Macron’s remarks come as France attempts to recalibrate its relationship with Africa after years of deteriorating influence in several former colonies, particularly in the Sahel region where anti-French sentiment and military coups have weakened Paris’ regional standing.

France withdrew troops from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger following military takeovers between 2020 and 2023 that brought juntas to power and led to demands for French forces to leave.Macron defended France’s former military deployments in the Sahel, saying French troops had operated there at the request of local governments to combat jihadist insurgencies.

“When our presence was no longer wanted after the coups, we left,” Macron said. “That wasn’t a humiliation but a logical response to a given situation.”Despite acknowledging the enduring legacy of colonialism, Macron argued that Africa’s current political and economic difficulties could not be attributed solely to European imperial history.

“We must not exonerate from all responsibility the seven decades that followed independence,” he said, urging African governments to strengthen governance and institutional accountability.Macron, who has previously described colonialism as a “crime against humanity,” has sought since taking office in 2017 to redefine France’s relationship with Africa through economic partnerships and reduced military dependence.

He also called for reforms to international financial systems aimed at expanding guarantees capable of attracting larger volumes of private investment into African economies.

“A new era is about to start,” Macron said, expressing confidence that the Sahel region would eventually return to democratic governance under elected civilian leadership.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he spoke by video call with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to discuss preparations for Trump’s planned May 14–15 visit to China, which would mark a major diplomatic engagement between the world’s two largest economies.

“Our meeting was both candid and comprehensive, and I stressed that China’s recent provocative extraterritorial regulations have a chilling effect on global supply chains,” Bessent said in a post on X.

His remarks marked one of the Trump administration’s clearest public criticisms of Beijing’s newly introduced supply chain regulations, which U.S. businesses and analysts say could make it harder for foreign firms to diversify sourcing of critical minerals and industrial goods away from China.

The rules, introduced in recent weeks, create a legal framework that could penalize foreign companies shifting supply chains out of China, particularly in sectors involving rare earths and strategic manufacturing inputs.Analysts have described the move as a significant escalation that could complicate Washington’s broader effort to reduce dependence on Chinese-controlled supply chains.

Bessent did not outline a direct U.S. response to the measures but said he looked forward to “a productive summit” between Trump and Xi.Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said He Lifeng had “candid, in-depth and constructive exchanges” with Bessent and Greer and that Beijing had raised “serious concerns” over recent U.S. trade-restrictive measures targeting China.

According to CCTV, both sides agreed to enhance consensus, manage differences and strengthen cooperation, signaling that preparations for the summit remain on track despite persistent tensions.The officials last met in person in Paris in March, where they discussed possible Chinese purchases of U.S. agricultural goods and the creation of new joint mechanisms to manage trade and investment disputes.

Chinese officials also used those talks to object to new tariff investigations launched by Trump’s administration after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down his earlier global tariff framework in February.Trump had delayed his Beijing trip because of the U.S.-Israeli war involving Iran, but officials on both sides now appear focused on preserving stability ahead of the summit.

In a separate diplomatic exchange on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Taiwan remained the “biggest point of risk” in bilateral ties, underscoring broader geopolitical tensions beyond trade.

The two countries reached a fragile trade truce last October during talks in Busan, South Korea, after months of retaliatory tariffs triggered by Trump’s “Liberation Day” duties and China’s restrictions on exports of rare earths and other critical minerals.

As the summit approaches, U.S. lawmakers and industry groups are also pressing the administration not to grant China greater access to the American automotive sector.Ten U.S. steel industry groups wrote to Bessent, Greer, Rubio and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Thursday, warning against allowing Chinese investment into the U.S. auto market.

The groups said such access could weaken domestic manufacturing competitiveness and create national security risks linked to data collection and strategic industrial dependence.At the same time, both governments have continued to build leverage ahead of the leaders’ meeting, with China advancing its new supply chain rules and Washington tightening restrictions on tool shipments to one of China’s major semiconductor manufacturers.

Chinese state media said both sides had expressed willingness to promote the “healthy, stable and sustainable development” of bilateral economic and trade relations.

Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is set to engage with top global leaders in Brussels, emphasizing stronger cooperation with India, NATO, and the EU to boost trade, security, and shared prosperity.

Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is embarking on a key diplomatic mission to Brussels this week. The visit underlines Berlin’s growing commitment to deepen strategic ties with its international allies.

Wadephul’s meetings will include high-level discussions with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal.The talks will focus on shared goals such as open trade, security, and sustainable economic growth.

The German foreign ministry confirmed that the minister will also meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. Together, they are expected to explore ways to reinforce Europe’s resilience and global influence.

This visit comes at a defining time for Europe and its partners. Rather than focusing on challenges, Wadephul’s agenda reflects a forward-looking approach centered on collaboration and innovation.

Germany’s decision to strengthen its outreach in Brussels highlights its intent to solidify partnerships that drive stability and prosperity.
It also demonstrates the nation’s active role in shaping global trade and defense discussions.

One of the primary areas of focus will be support for Ukraine and the broader European security framework. Wadephul aims to coordinate with NATO and EU leaders to ensure a strong, unified approach to peace and defense readiness.

Trade is another key element of his mission.The German minister is expected to push for solutions that make supply chains more efficient and secure.

Topics like rare earth materials, semiconductor supplies, and advanced manufacturing will take center stage.These resources are vital for Europe’s transition to green energy and digital innovation.

By focusing on such strategic issues, Germany seeks to position itself as both a stabilizing force and an innovation leader.The aim is not just to react to global challenges but to proactively shape the future of international cooperation.

A particularly exciting aspect of this visit is Wadephul’s engagement with India’s Piyush Goyal.India and the European Union are in the final stages of negotiating a landmark free trade agreement.

The EU-India partnership is seen as one of the most promising collaborations of the decade.It combines Europe’s technological capabilities with India’s dynamic growth and market potential.

A successful trade pact could open new pathways for investment, technology exchange, and sustainable industry development.Both sides are working with optimism toward concluding the deal by the end of the year.

Germany views India as a pivotal partner in balancing global trade dynamics and ensuring supply chain diversity.The meeting between Wadephul and Goyal symbolizes a strong commitment to mutual growth and shared prosperity.

Within NATO and the EU, discussions will also touch upon defense cooperation and innovation in cybersecurity.Wadephul’s leadership reflects Germany’s belief that collective action remains the most effective path to long-term peace.

The trip also sends a positive signal about Europe’s readiness to cooperate across regions.By engaging deeply with partners like India, Germany reinforces the idea that diplomacy and dialogue remain powerful tools for global progress.

Observers note that Wadephul’s diplomatic strategy emphasizes inclusivity, transparency, and long-term stability.Rather than focusing solely on immediate political tensions, the visit aims to nurture relationships that will shape the global order for years to come.

In Brussels, Wadephul’s agenda demonstrates Germany’s evolving global role—one that prioritizes responsible leadership and sustainable partnerships.The country continues to advocate for fair trade, open markets, and shared innovation as pathways to peace and prosperity.

Through this visit, Berlin reinforces its position as a bridge between continents.By uniting with allies in Europe, Asia, and beyond, Germany seeks to build a more balanced and cooperative world economy.

Wadephul’s meetings with leaders like Rutte, Goyal, and von der Leyen mark a pivotal step toward a future driven by trust, mutual respect, and shared progress. As the world faces new challenges, Germany’s approach—rooted in dialogue and partnership—offers a model of diplomacy that is both positive and purposeful.