In a recent Atlantic Council Front Page event, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot asserted that multilateralism will endure, regardless of whether the United States chooses to abandon it.
He cautioned that if the US opts out, China is poised to step in and potentially become the new hegemon of a redefined multilateral landscape.
Barrot’s remarks were especially poignant in the context of the current global tensions exacerbated by the Trump administration’s extensive tariffs, which have disrupted the international trading ecosystem and strained the US’s relations with its allies.
Instead of retracting from the multilateral framework that it originally helped establish, Barrot proposed that the United States should pursue a path of “reforming and reshaping multilateralism.”
He emphasized the necessity of sharing power to maintain influence, advocating for expanded representation within the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and international financial institutions.
To navigate the challenges posed by obstructions in international institutions, he called for a willingness to form “coalitions of the willing.”
“This is the new era of multilateralism,” Barrot observed, expressing the hope that Europe could collaborate closely with the United States in this endeavor.
On the subject of European strategic autonomy, Barrot articulated that while Europe must uphold a rules-based international order, it must also become stronger and less reliant on other regions in an increasingly hostile world.
He declared, “We see our strategic autonomy as a way to defend” the rules-based multilateral model.
**Ukraine Negotiations**
Turning to the context of the Ukraine conflict, Barrot praised a recent agreement between the US and Ukraine concerning critical minerals, describing it as beneficial for both nations.
He highlighted that Ukraine had acquiesced to the Trump administration’s demands for a thirty-day cease-fire, illustrating a commitment to peace negotiations.
Conversely, Barrot pointed to Russian President Vladimir Putin as the persistent barrier to peace, stating, “Right now, the main obstacle to peace is Vladimir Putin.”
Barrot also indicated that Europe acknowledges that the United States expects it to take on the responsibility of providing security guarantees for Ukraine once the conflict concludes.
However, he expressed the need for transparency with the US, stating that the coalition of France and the UK must be candid once they understand what capabilities can only be supplied by Washington to deter further Russian aggression.
**Iran Nuclear Talks**
When addressing the negotiations concerning Iran’s nuclear program, Barrot noted that France has been in alignment with the US since the beginning of the Trump administration’s dealings with Tehran.
He conveyed that the nuclear situation poses a serious threat to European security, asserting that resolving the issue will require a diplomatic approach rather than military action.
Barrot warned that if a sufficiently robust agreement safeguarding European interests is not reached by summer, France would not hesitate to reinstate the sanctions it previously lifted following the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
**Trade and Tariffs**
Barrot expressed clear disapproval of the Trump administration’s tariffs, characterizing them as detrimental to both Europe and the United States.
He warned that such tariffs would render both Europeans and Americans poorer, providing an advantage to adversaries during this trade conflict.
A light-hearted moment during the discussion arose when Barrot shared that he told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that one silver lining of the tariffs might be that they make it easier for NATO members to meet the 2 percent of GDP defense spending goal by lowering national GDPs.
Since the announcement of widespread tariffs, Barrot noted a growing interest from various countries approaching the EU to discuss trade agreements and potential candidacy for EU membership.
He remarked, “It’s not only Iceland and Norway that seem to be interested.”
**Reshaping Multilateralism**
Addressing the need for reform in the UNSC, Barrot proposed the addition of permanent seats for India, Germany, Japan, Brazil, and two African nations.
He articulated that many countries from the Global South are no longer merely developing nations but have evolved into significant powers deserving a seat at the table.
However, Barrot also emphasized that these nations must behave like major powers.
While he expressed skepticism about Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s portrayal of China as a champion of multilateralism, he acknowledged that China may attempt to fill the vacuum left by the US in key global institutions like the World Health Organization.
Barrot shared his belief that there could be a productive trade agenda between Europe and China, but serviceable discussions must extend beyond trade to encompass a range of security interests.
He made it clear that if China seeks a trustworthy relationship with Europe, it must account for security interests, particularly given its support for countries like Russia, North Korea, and Iran.
Overall, Barrot’s remarks reflect a pressing need for reform and collaboration in a complex geopolitical environment, seeking to advocate for a multilateralism that promotes inclusivity and security amid evolving global challenges.
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