European leaders have backed Australia against Beijing’s ongoing economic coercion campaign and its increased belligerence in the Indo-Pacific region. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison was in Paris on Tuesday where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron at Elysees Palace. They discussed issues ranging from tensions in the Indo-Pacific, counter-terrorism efforts, and the Future Submarine Program. Macron publicly backed the prime minister and rebuked the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s aggression in the South China Sea. “You are at the forefront of the tensions that exist in the region, of the threats, and sometimes intimidation, and I want to reiterate here how much we stand by your side,” he told reporters. “I would like to reiterate how committed France remains to defending the balance in the Indo-Pacific region and how much we consider the partnership we have with Australia is essential in the Indo-Pacific strategy,” he added. “We firmly reject any …