Macron and Von der Leyen launch a program to attract American scientists threatened by Trump to Europe.

From the iconic Sorbine amphitheater, French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen on Monday called on American scientists under pressure or threat from the Trump administration to return to Europe for the sake of "academic freedom."

Europe Chooses for Science is the name of the program promoted by the two leaders in response to the request made by 13 EU countries (including Spain) to encourage the arrival of "academic talent" from across the Atlantic, in response to the attacks on universities and the anti-science climate created by the Trump administration.

The two leaders made an effort to dress the event in the most academic light, with speakers from experts in health, artificial intelligence, and climate change from both sides of the Atlantic. But the event had a clear political purpose in the context of the "European rearmament" promoted by President Macron.

Emmanuel Macron was direct in his criticism of Trump: "No one could imagine that this great democracy in the world would make such a mistake." The French president asserted that Trump's science policy is "a diktat prohibiting research on this and that " and urged scientists who feel "threatened" to come to Europe.

"The role of science is being questioned today," the President of the European Commission added, in a veiled reference to the Trump administration. "Investment in basic, free, and open research is being questioned. What a huge error of judgment!"

"Science is the key to our future here in Europe," added von der Leyen, who announced a €500 million investment to attract scientists. "In the medium and long term, we want to achieve the target of 3% of GDP for investment in research and development by 2030." The President of the European Commission also expressed her desire to "enshrine the freedom of scientific research in legislation through a new legislative act on the European Research Area ."

France took the lead in April with the launch of the Choose France program, a platform dedicated to international research. The National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) has launched a new program to attract foreign scientists, and Aix-Marseille University launched its Safe Place for Science program in March. The first researchers will arrive in June.

French Research Minister Philippe Baptiste has harshly criticized the Trump administration, especially after the incident involving the French scientist attending a conference in Houston who was banned and expelled from the country for criticizing Donald Trump in messages found on his cell phone and computer (the official US explanation is that the messages contained sensitive information that could compromise security).

"Many well-known researchers are considering their future in the United States," Baptiste wrote in a letter to French universities a few weeks ago. His statements have been criticized by some as "political opportunism," in light of budget cuts to research and innovation in France.

"At a time when academic freedom is threatened, Europe is an attractive continent for science and research," added an Élysée Palace spokesperson. "As the world goes through a period of instability and fragmentation, France and Europe are choosing science, openness, and cooperation to strengthen our independence."