Macron wants Europeans to boost defense, be 'respected'

French President Emmanuel Macron says European nations must boost their defense plans and make themselves “respected.”

PARIS -- European nations must boost their defense plans and make themselves “respected,” French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday as his country opens talks with the United States following a submarine contract dispute that led to a diplomatic crisis.

“Europeans must come out of their naivety,” Macron said during a news conference in Paris where he spoke publicly for the first time about a Indo-Pacific defense deal among the U.S., Australia and Britain that sank a multi-billion French contract.

“When we are under pressure,...showing that we also have power and the capacity to defend ourselves...is simply making ourselves be respected.”

As part of the pact, Australia will cancel a contract to buy diesel-electric French submarines and acquire U.S. nuclear-powered vessels instead. In an unprecedented move, France recalled its ambassador to the U.S. in response.