France’s Macron begins Southeast Asia tour to boost EU-Asia economic ties

French President Emmanuel Macron touched down in Hanoi as the first stop of his Southeast Asia tour. He is set to sign bilateral agreements focused on energy and also speak on defense issues.

Macron’s visit will center on energy, transport, and infrastructure. He is scheduled to hold talks with Vietnam’s top leaders on Monday, during which he will formalize a power grid deal between the French Development Agency and Vietnam’s National Power Transmission Corporation. State media say the agreement is designed to strengthen Vietnam’s electricity network and improve regional links.

After Vietnam, Macron will head to Indonesia to boost bilateral relations. On Friday, he will travel to Singapore for the annual Shangri-La Dialogue defense summit.

This trip follows recent visits by the leaders of China, Spain, and Japan as Southeast Asia gains focus amid uncertainty in supply chains and global trade. Governments in the region have become key partners as nations look to diversify economic links.

Relations between Vietnam and France were raised to a “comprehensive strategic partnership” in October when Vietnam’s Communist Party General Secretary To Lam visited Paris. During that visit, both sides agreed to expand security and defense cooperation and to work more closely in aerospace, transport infrastructure, and renewable energy.

Human rights groups have urged Macron to press Vietnam on civil liberties

Benedicte Jeannerod, France director at Human Rights Watch, said, “The Vietnamese government’s broad and intense crackdown on freedom of speech and assembly is the opposite of what it pledged to France and the EU. The authorities have jailed an increasing number of democracy advocates and dissidents and are resisting reforms.”

On Tuesday, Macron will visit the University of Science and Technology in Hanoi. There, he will deliver a speech on the future of France’s relationship with Vietnam, highlighting shared strategic interests and economic cooperation.

Throughout the tour, Macron aims to reinforce France’s role in Asia and secure partnerships that span trade, technology, and defense. By sealing new agreements and engaging in high-level dialogue, he seeks to strengthen France’s presence in a region marked by rapid change and growing geopolitical significance.

Macron has been seeking closer ties with China

Meanwhile, as Europe adjusts to U.S. tariff uncertainties, Macron has sought closer economic ties with China. After a call with President Xi Jinping earlier this week, he posted on X: “Chinese investment is welcome in France. But our companies must benefit from fair competition in our two countries.”

Xi told Macron that China and France, both permanent members of the UN Security Council, should join forces to “safeguard international trade rules” and uphold the world economic order while pursuing “genuine multilateralism,” according to China’s state broadcaster CCTV.

The leaders spoke as international trade has been shaken by US President Donald Trump’s threats to impose steep tariffs on China, the European Union, and other nations, sparking retaliatory duties against US goods.

“The more complicated the international situation becomes, the more China and France should make the right strategic choices and work together to be a reliable force in maintaining international order,” Xi said, CCTV reported.

Xi went on to say that China “has always regarded Europe as an independent pole in the multi-polar world,” supports the EU in strengthening its strategic autonomy and playing a larger role in global affairs, and is ready to partner with Europe to tackle worldwide challenges and secure benefits for both sides and the world.

The call followed a visit last week by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng to France, during which he urged for “a more fair, just and predictable business environment.”

Macron and Xi also discussed the war in Ukraine. In his post on X, Macron said the two agreed the goal must be “a lasting and robust peace” that “begins with an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.”

Macron also pledged to work with China to bring an end to the war in Gaza. He said, “We will work with China to prepare the Conference on [a] Two-State Solution, scheduled for June in New York, which France is co-chairing with Saudi Arabia.”

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