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Emmanuel Macron warned that Donald Trump’s crackdown on American scientific research threatens the US economy and democracy as French leader and European Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen pitched researchers to come to Europe instead.
“No one would have thought that the world’s biggest democracy, whose economic model relies heavily on science, innovation and its capabilities, would make such a mistake in spreading this innovation more widely than its European peers,” Macron said at a conference at the Sorbonne University in Paris on Monday.
“Without free scientific research, we will lose the pillars of society, the centre of Western liberal democracy.
The Trump administration is launching an unprecedented crackdown on American universities, cutting federal funding on subjects such as vaccinations and climate change, and trying to curb research.
Prior to Macron at the Sorbonne, von del Reyen proposed spending a 500 million euro financial package between 2025 and 2027 “making Europe a magnet for researchers” and assisting those who chose to relocate to the continent.
Von Der Leyen did not mention the US or Trump by name, but said that “open and free” science is a European “calling card.”
“We must do everything we can to support it. “Europe must remain a home of academic and scientific freedom.”
Macron also pledged an additional 100 million euros for an initiative to attract researchers to France by the end of 2030, but neither he nor von der Reyen provided details on how the funds would be used.
Macron was evident in his criticism of the US administration as he repeatedly called for the promotion of scientific sovereignty in Europe.
“We sometimes failed because we were so comfortable working with the Americans. Many Europeans were very confident. [that] We will never be abandoned. It’s like they’re us, but that’s not true,” he said.
The position between the Trump administration and US universities has been wary of many administrators and researchers as the president has stepped up attacks on American institutions that his supporters consider to be too progressive. The administration has also revoked visas for international students and researchers.
In the wake of Trump’s crackdown, the UK government is preparing to launch a £50 million scheme to plead with research grants and transfer funds to plead with international research talent, according to those who described the plan.
Macron and von der Reyen sought to present a vision of free scientific research, citing the role that science played in building European society from the Renaissance to the Age of Enlightenment.
The French president also linked attacks on expertise with the rise of conspiracy theories and false information that could destroy society. He cited the 18th-century French philosopher Voltaire, warning that believing in the truth “revealed” and banning research would endanger society’s “ability to agree.”
For decades, Europe has struggled to compete with the US for research and innovation due to the decline in links between academic research institutions and the private sector, and low funding.
In particular, France is home to many universities of science, but many of its alumni left in the US looking for great opportunities, leaving the continent with a shortage of champions in technology such as cloud computing and AI. Today, European leaders are seeing opportunities for deep change that swept the US system.
“We need to make coming to Europe easier and more appealing for research,” von der Reyen said. He cited the need to speed up the entry process for scientists and researchers and the initiative to connect highly skilled immigrants with institutions.
“We have chosen to become a continent that is the pillar of our society and our way of life. “Progress thrives with freedom, openness and collaboration.”
