French President Emmanuel Macron has urged Europe to assert itself on the world stage, saying it is time to start acting like a 'power'. In the face of growing threats from China, Russia and now the US, he told a group of European newspapers that the continent faced a 'wake-up call'. 'Are we ready to become a power? This is the question in the field of economy and finance, in defence and security, and in our democratic systems.' He emphasized the need for EU-wide mutualised loans to fund significant industrial investments, stating that the time has come to launch shared debt capacities for future funding. This call, however, has met skepticism from Germany and other nations concerned about potential financial burdens on Europe due to France's economic issues. Macron acknowledged that France has not had a balanced economic model like some northern economies but insisted on the need for action. According to Macron, the 27-member EU needs €1.2 trillion annually for investments across vital sectors, including security, clean energy, and artificial intelligence. He framed the discussion around the necessity to protect European industries while comparing it to practices in the US and China. 'Today Europe faces a massive challenge, in a world of disorder,' he stated, reflecting on accelerating climate change and geopolitical shifts that threaten European stability.