{"id":24179,"date":"2018-09-14T16:02:17","date_gmt":"2018-09-14T16:02:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2018\/09\/14\/france-wonders-can-we-always-count-on-american-support\/"},"modified":"2026-08-20T16:12:50","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T16:12:50","slug":"france-wonders-can-we-always-count-on-american-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/global\/europe\/2018\/09\/14\/france-wonders-can-we-always-count-on-american-support\/","title":{"rendered":"France wonders: Can we always count on American support?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

PARIS \u2014 The U.S. is a close and valued ally to France, but the European country seeks continentwide strategic autonomy<\/a> in defense and security, with a stronger and more cooperative industrial base, said French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe United States is our ally and our friend, and it will remain so,\u201d she said Sept. 11 at the Summer defense university, a gathering of parliamentarians, officers and foreign guests. \u201cOur cooperation in defense and security is intense and highly valued.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parly had planned to pass on that message when she saw U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis in Washington on Thursday, but that trip to the U.S. \u2014 which included a presentation at the Atlantic Council \u2014 was canceled due to Hurricane Florence hitting the East Coast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCan we always count, in every place and in every circumstance, on American support?” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cListen to the statements of the U.S. president, read his tweets: The message sent is clear and without ambiguity,\u201d she added. \u201cWe have to count on ourselves \u2026 build a European strategic autonomy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Robbin Laird, an analyst with U.S.- and France-based consultancy ICSA, said the U.S. is very present in Europe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite the president\u2019s comments on NATO and Article 5<\/a>, his administration has committed significant resources in Europe,\u201d he said, referring to the alliance\u2019s charter that calls for a united response should a member nation come under attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mattis was recently \u201cvery visible in Finland,\u201d attending a trilateral meeting with Finnish and Swedish senior officials, Laird said, noting the upcoming NATO Trident Juncture exercise in Norway in October and November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is clear Trump would welcome a more European capability; a real defense capability is what he is looking for, not just words,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the industrial front, Parly said France and Germany have signed up for projects for a Future Combat Air System \u2014 centered on a new fighter jet\u2014 and a new tank. This is a \u201chistoric step for Europe, for the future of our equipment and the strength of our industry,\u201d she said. These were long-term commitments, open to other nations, she added. <\/p>\n\n\n\t