French President Emmanuel Macron recently criticized Elon Musk, characterizing the billionaire as 'over-subsidised' due to substantial government support for his company, Starlink. This comment was made during a speech at an industrial summit in Antwerp, where Macron emphasized the need for a competitive industrial strategy in Europe. He argued that the success of Musk's ventures relies not only on private investments but also heavily on public funding, highlighting the need for Europe to bolster its own industrial capacities through similar public investment.

During his address, Macron advocated for a 'Buy European' strategy that aims to promote domestic production and reduce reliance on outside entities. He proposed that funding for this initiative could be achieved through joint borrowing among EU member states. By strengthening cooperation between nations, Macron suggested that Europe could create more robust industrial growth and ensure that local industries remain competitive in a global market that is increasingly dominated by American firms benefiting from significant state support.

This move by Macron not only underscores his ambition for a stronger European industrial base but also serves as a direct challenge to US dominance in the tech and aerospace sectors. The ensuing debate over European investments in domestic industries versus the reliance on foreign enterprises could reshape the landscape of European technology and manufacturing, potentially leading to significant policy changes in the EU.