On a recent visit to Beijing, Emmanuel Macron said Europe should distance itself from US-Chinese tensions over Taiwan. Calling for Europe to avoid being drawn into “block-to-block logic” or becoming a US “vassal,” Macron asked an interviewer whether or not it’s “in our interest to accelerate on the subject of Taiwan?” Macron answered the rhetorical question himself, stating flatly, “No.” As he explained it, “The worst thing would be to think that we Europeans must become followers on this topic and adapt to the American rhythm and a Chinese overreaction.”

At the same time as Macron was warning Europe against adopting Washington’s position on Taiwan, the New Democratic Party’s (NDP) foreign critic Heather McPherson was stoking tension over the island. McPherson was part of a parliamentary delegation to Taiwan, which followed last summer’s controversial trip by former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a recent visit to the United States by Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen. President Joe Biden has strongly implied that the White House supports Taiwanese separatism — indeed, he has said the US would go to war over Taiwan.

Prior to joining the Taipei-sponsored trip, McPherson told the Hill Times that the trip was designed to combat a common threat. “Taiwan has dealt with Chinese interference, and Chinese misinformation and disinformation campaigns for a very long time, and I think there are things that Canada can and should be learning from the Taiwanese.” During the visit, the Canadian parliamentarians met Taiwan’s foreign minister and president.