Macron promotes France as reliable partner in Southeast Asia amid global power struggles

French President Emmanuel Macron is embarking on a strategic visit to Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore, aiming to present France and the European Union as dependable partners offering transparent cooperation.

French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to Southeast Asia to promote France and the European Union as reliable partners offering cooperation without hidden agendas, at a time when global powers like the U.S. and China are increasingly using aggressive tactics to expand their influence, officials said.

Macron is scheduled to arrive in Hanoi on Sunday, marking the first visit by a French president to Vietnam in nearly a decade. He will then continue to Indonesia and conclude his trip in Singapore, where he is expected to deliver a keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s leading security forum.

During the trip, Macron will position France and Europe as champions of international cooperation and rules-based trade. This contrasts with the more "coercive" or "predatory" strategies used by others, including the U.S. under President Donald Trump and China.

“We advocate for rules in international trade, not the law of the jungle where only the strongest survive,” a French presidential adviser said on Wednesday.

Vietnam, which relies heavily on exports, was previously caught off guard by tariff threats from both the U.S. and France. It is now looking to diversify its supply chains and trading partners to reduce its dependence on China.

According to the Élysée Palace, dozens of agreements are being prepared and may be signed during the three-state visit.

Macron’s visit follows recent trips to the region by leaders from China, Japan, and other European nations—reflecting Southeast Asia’s growing strategic relevance amid ongoing global supply chain disruptions and trade uncertainty.

In addition to economic and security discussions, Macron will use his speech to Indonesian students and his remarks at the Singapore forum to clarify Europe’s positions on global conflicts. He aims to counter perceptions of double standards, particularly on Gaza, and to frame the war in Ukraine as a global issue—not merely a European one.

When asked if Indonesia—which has purchased French-made Rafale fighter jets—needed reassurance following the downing of a similar aircraft by Pakistan during an India-Pakistan clash, the adviser dismissed concerns, saying the trip is not about “reacting to recent news.”

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