Faced with a possible second Trump presidency, French PM says Europe needs security independence

In an exclusive English-language interview, new French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal spoke with CBC Power & Politics host David Cochrane about France's role in European security amid Russia's war in Ukraine.

When pressed on whether he fears that Trump could abandon NATO if Russia escalates hostilities in Europe, Attal insisted he didn't want to be perceived as interfering with the U.S. election.

"I don't want to meddle in this election but I say that we need to also handle ourselves in the EU," said Attal, adding security independence has been a priority for French President Emmanuel Macron since he first assumed office in 2017.

The French prime minister cited the planned increase in military spending unveiled in Canada's defence policy update earlier this week.

Power and Politics host David Cochrane interviews French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal in Ottawa on Thursday, April 11, 2024.

Europe's free-trade deals have come in for fierce criticism in recent years and French farmers have been spearheading the fight against CETA, claiming it favours Canadian producers.