The G7 summit that has just concluded in Évian-les-Bains will undoubtedly go down as one of the most revealing diplomatic encounters of this new decade. Behind the consensual statements and official photos, one reality is clear: the world has entered a phase of accelerated geopolitical realignment where yesterday’s certainty is no longer today’s.
The tentative agreement reached between Washington and Tehran dominated the discussions. Western leaders cautiously welcomed this attempt at de-escalation, while questioning its durability and its consequences for the strategic balance of the Middle East. The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz brings relief to global energy markets, but it does not resolve the deep fractures running through the region.
The summit also highlighted another major concern: the growing dependence of Western economies on supply chains controlled by China. Rare earths, electronic components, and strategic technologies are now at the heart of a global competition that extends far beyond the framework of trade.
For Europe, the observation is clear. Long convinced that economic interdependence was enough to guarantee international stability, it is now discovering that power remains a central element of relations between States. The return of Donald Trump to the White House further intensifies this awareness. Washington now favors a transactional approach to alliances, forcing Europeans to strengthen their strategic autonomy.
In this context, France is trying to play a balancing role. Emmanuel Macron seeks to preserve Western unity while asserting a more independent European vision. However, the room for maneuver remains limited in the face of the major powers that now structure the international system.
The Évian G7 did not provide all the answers. Nevertheless, it confirmed one essential thing: we have entered the era of the return of power, where energy security, strategic resources, and military balances are once again becoming the main determinants of global politics.
