Macron lauds Europe's 'predictability' during Japan visit

TOKYO

French President Emmanuel Macron praised Europe's "predictability" during a visit to Japan yesterday, contrasting it with countries that "could hurt you without even informing you" in an apparent swipe at U.S. President Donald Trump.

Trump lashed out at France on March 31, writing on social media that Paris had been "very unhelpful" during the war with Iran.

"I'm well aware that sometimes Europe can be seen as a continent that is slower than others," Macron told an audience of Japanese business leaders and investors in Tokyo.

"But predictability has value, and we have demonstrated that over all these past years and, dare I say, even these past weeks: we are where you know we will go," he added.

"That's not bad, in times like these, believe me."

Macron criticised countries that said they were "going much faster" than their allies, but "you don't know whether the day after tomorrow they will still be in that position, and whether tomorrow they won't make a decision that could hurt you without even informing you".

Before meeting Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi later yesterday, Macron spoke of the "dramatic impacts on energy" as a result of the war.

"Europe stands by your side," he said.

"We are also on the side of international law, on the side of negotiation and the return of diplomacy."