Macron Wants EU to Revamp Defense Strategy in Next 5 to 10 Years

French President Emmanuel Macron said he wants the European Union to boost its military autonomy and alleviate reliance on the US over the next five to 10 years — responding to a long-running demand from Washington.

France is pushing for joint debt to fund new defense outlays, Macron said late Thursday. He warned, though, that the world is entering a “new era” in which higher military investment may curb people’s purchasing power.

Macron described recent talks with Donald Trump as “very fluid,” praised the US leader’s strategy of adding “uncertainty” to discussions with Russia and confirmed an upcoming visit to ...