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UK and France must end dependency on US and China, Macron says

State visit marks symbolic reset in UK-France relations, signaling a post-Brexit thaw

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French President Emmanuel Macron addresses the UK parliament in the Palace of Westminster. Photo: Reuters

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that Britain and France must work together to counter the world’s many destabilising threats and protect Europe from “excessive dependencies” on the United States and China.

Macron, in a rare address to both houses of the British parliament, celebrated the return of closer ties between the two countries as he became the first European leader to be invited for a British state visit since Brexit.

Having been greeted earlier by the British royal family, Macron set out to parliament where he said the two countries needed to come together to strengthen Europe, including on defence, immigration, climate and trade.

“The United Kingdom and France must once again show the world that our alliance can make all the difference,” he said.

Britain’s King Charles and French President Emmanuel Macron travel in a horse-drawn carriage to Windsor Castle. Photo: Reuters
Britain’s King Charles and French President Emmanuel Macron travel in a horse-drawn carriage to Windsor Castle. Photo: Reuters

“The only way to overcome the challenges we have, the challenges of our times, will be to go together hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder.”

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