Obviously, Macron's comments are consistent with longstanding perspectives amongst the elite of France WRT the United States (and its closest allies).

Be that as it may, I fail to see how it made sense for him to suggest that France has no skin in the (Taiwan) game. I cannot be the only one who sees that as ironic, given that the French like to make a big deal of their democratic credentials--and their commitment to “liberté, égalité, fraternité”.

NB: The published record of Macron's interview with Les Echos made NO reference to Taiwan's agency, much less its right to self-determination.

Another irony in Macron's statement about Taiwan can be seen in his failure to acknowledge that the United States is deeply involved in supporting a country, Ukraine, that is far from US borders. America has been the biggest contributor, by far, to NATO efforts to help Ukrainians fend off Russian aggressors.

The United States has no direct interests at stake in Ukraine, yet the effort it has put into helping that country is hugely helpful to the EU (and to France). I guess the United States (and Canada) should, by his logic, leave it to France and Germany to manage.

Can you imagine how discomfiting that would feel to the citizens of Poland et. al? (Europeans all)