French President Macron is in Japan to meet with Prime Minister Takaichi today. At the economic forum, Mr. Macron delivered a speech "full of gunpowder" subtly responding to U.S. President Donald Trump.
On March 31, Mr. Trump took to social media to criticize France as "completely useless" in the military campaign in the Middle East related to Iran.
And not to be outdone, Mr. Macron immediately borrowed the forum in Tokyo to counterattack. He admitted that Europe might act slowly, but is "predictable" and safe. At the same time, he subtly criticized the U.S. strategy as "autocratic," disrupting allies and warned Japan: "They can make decisions that harm you without notice!"
The "damage" that Mr. Macron refers to is Japan's rice cooker – Oil! Due to the military tensions between the US - Israel and Iran, the vital Strait of Hormuz is being blocked. Mr. Macron wants to send the message that Europe will be a "cautious but stable" business partner for Japan amid a world full of fluctuations. An extremely tight diplomatic standoff between the great powers.
The situation of gasoline and electricity prices in Japan in the coming time is forecasted to face many challenges due to the influence of this chain of events.