France

France

The United States’ oldest ally, France is a key strategic partner for Washington, not only in cooperating on transatlantic political and security issues but also in pursuing shared interests across the globe. France is pursuing economic reforms under President Emmanuel Macron, even as it faces social and political disruptions; meanwhile, recent elections point to the rise of the nationalist right wing. France remains a country to watch for the future of the European project as continues to play a leading role in the European Union and beyond.

FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

My Way or the Huawei: 5G at the Center of US-China Strategic Competition

Dispatches May 15, 2026

The UK faces a dilemma over potential troop deployments to Ukraine. France can help.

By Julia Salabert, Jason C. Moyer

France is currently punching below its weight in the Baltic area and could shoulder more of the burden.
France NATO
My Way or the Huawei: 5G at the Center of US-China Strategic Competition

Dispatches Mar 4, 2026

What Macron’s changes to French nuclear policy mean for European security

By Jonathan Rosenstein and Emily Cheesman

The president’s plan, announced on March 2, expands France’s nuclear arsenal and deepens its cooperation on deterrence with European allies.
France Nuclear Deterrence
My Way or the Huawei: 5G at the Center of US-China Strategic Competition

Report Nov 10, 2025

France’s policy on China: Strategic autonomy and less naïveté

By Zoltán Fehér

Over the last decade, France’s long-standing engagement with China has transformed into a more nuanced and cautious dynamic, reflecting a growing emphasis on balancing. This shift is guided by France’s pursuit of strategic autonomy, its effort to “de-risk” economic and security ties, and the broader geopolitical realities unfolding in the Indo-Pacific.
China Economy & Business

Program

The Europe Center promotes the transatlantic leadership and strategies required to ensure a strong Europe.

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Content

EconoGraphics

Jul 23, 2019

My Way or the Huawei: 5G at the Center of US-China Strategic Competition

By OLE MOEHR | GRAPHICS BY MARIANNA ASLUND, NICK BROWN, ANDREW LASCALEIA

On July 22, President Trump met with a group of major tech CEOs to discuss the easing of some restrictions on US companies supplying high-tech parts to Chinese telecommunications company Huawei. In May, the US Commerce Department banned US companies from selling any products to Huawei. The Chinese company’s position as the world’s leading provider of 5G technology has made it a focal point of the escalating great power competition between China and the United States. This edition of the EconoGraphic explains the US government’s move to blacklist Huawei, outlines the ban’s potential costs, and describes why US allies are conflicted about banning Huawei.

China Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Jul 23, 2019

France’s digital tax: all about leverage?

By Jörn Fleck and Alex Baker

The new measure should be a warning that European states will adopt unilateral solutions to update tax rules

Digital Policy Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Jul 22, 2019

Macron’s Belgrade pivot

By Petrit Selimi

Macron's trip may yet be remembered as a turning point for French involvement in the Balkans. The payoff could be big for France, but it must first decide if it is willing to prove that the Balkans truly belong in Europe.

France The Balkans

In the News

Jul 12, 2019

Fleck quoted in CNBC on US tariffs for French products

By Atlantic Council

Digital Policy Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Jun 26, 2019

How to weather a hack: Lessons from the Macron leaks

By David A. Wemer

Why did the leaks fail to move the needle during the 2017 French presidential campaign?

Disinformation Elections

Report

Jun 20, 2019

The “#Macron leaks” operation: a post-mortem

By Jean-Baptiste Jeangène Vilmer

“The #Macron Leaks Operation,” by Jean-Baptiste Jeangène Vilmer analyzes the coordinated attempt to undermine Emmanuel Macron’s candidacy, with a disinformation campaign consisting of rumors, fake news, and even forged documents; a hack targeting the computers of his campaign staff; and, finally, a leak—15 gigabytes (GB) of stolen data.

Cybersecurity Disinformation

In the News

Jun 5, 2019

Haddad Quoted in Le Monde On US-France Relations

Read the full article here.

France

In the News

Jun 5, 2019

Haddad Quoted in the Washington Post on ‘America First’ Thinking

Read the full article here.

France

New Atlanticist

May 15, 2019

EU parliamentary elections: What to expect in France

By Benjamin Haddad

If En Marche ends first with a score resembling Macron’s 2017 first-round showing (24 percent), he will have reason to claim victory in a ballot that usually turns into a beating for the ruling party.

Elections European Union

NATOSource

May 3, 2019

Strengthen European Defense Cooperation Through NATO and the EU

By Bogdan Klich, Project Syndicate

[A] key question remains unanswered: will allied deterrence prevent possible Russian aggression during those 30 days?

European Union France
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Experts

Fellow

Didier Acouetey

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Léonie Allard

Nonresident senior fellow

Europe Center

Africa Chinese

Fellow

Gérard Araud

Distinguished Fellow

Europe Center

English Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Phyllis Berry

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia France

Fellow

Jason Davidson

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia European Union

Fellow

William Drozdiak

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Europe & Eurasia France
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