ISTANBUL — French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has said Europe could emerge as a “third actor” in an increasingly competitive global landscape shaped by tensions between the United States and China.
In a post on the social platform X, Barrot referenced remarks by Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump, who both invoked the concept of the “Thucydides Trap,” a theory describing the heightened risk of conflict when an emerging power challenges an established one.
Barrot cited historical parallels from the Peloponnesian War, noting that while Athens and Sparta were weakened by prolonged conflict, Macedonia ultimately rose to prominence by strengthening its military, economic and financial position.
He argued that Europe could play a similar role today if it demonstrates political determination and strategic unity.
“Who could this third actor be today? It will be Europe, if we have the courage and the will,” Barrot said, adding that this vision reflects France’s broader position on Europe’s global role.
His remarks followed discussions between Xi and Trump in Beijing, during which the Chinese leader also referred to the Thucydides Trap in the context of US China relations.
Barrot’s comments highlight ongoing European debates over strategic autonomy and the continent’s ability to assert itself amid growing geopolitical rivalry between Washington and Beijing.
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