Macron Walks Back Remarks While Affirming Europe's Strategic Autonomy

The French president clarified France's stance supporting Taiwan's status quo and an open Indo-Pacific region.
Macron's initial comments cautioning against siding with the U.S. on Taiwan drew widespread criticism.
Though affirming the U.S.-Europe alliance, Macron said that being an ally "doesn't mean being a vassal."
Analysts argue Macron's mixed messaging has allowed China to divide the West.
Macron now says France and the U.S. share a "coordinated approach" to China and relations will remain "strong and reliable."