President Biden said France was America’s “first friend” when it was founded and one of its closest allies more than two centuries later, as he venerated it with a state stopover Saturday to French President Emmanuel Macron with the aim of showing his partnership in global security problems and alleviating them. tensions in the industry.
Biden and Macron attended ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day on Thursday and met separately the next day with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris. Both leaders used those promises to underscore the urgent need for Kyiv to fight the Russian invasion.
But Macron and Biden have bristled at the speed of aid to Ukraine, especially since the United States, by far the largest contributor to Kyiv’s defense, has been forced to suspend aid deliveries for months while congressional Republicans delayed their aid package.
The state stop began with a rite at the Arc de Triomphe, to which was added a wreath at the Tomb of the French Unknown Soldier and an army parade down the Champs-Elysées leading to the Elysée Palace, where the two held official meetings and gave public speeches. Declarations. Later, a state dinner was held at the palace for Mr. Biden and his wife, first daughter Jill Biden.
“United, we remain, divided, we fall,” Macron toasted Biden at the state dinner. “Allies, we are and allies, we will continue to be. ”
The U. S. president continued Macron’s toast by noting that the United States and France had been “unyielding and unwavering in our partnership,” adding, “This is what democracies do. ”
Biden and Macron put the war in Ukraine on the most sensible item on Saturday’s agenda, but the strength of the two countries’ long alliance, fortified in Normandy 80 years ago but with much deeper roots, was the central theme of the weekend.
Biden, who defines himself as a scholar of French history, called the stopover a “great honor” and noted that U. S. ties to France date back to the Revolutionary War.
“France is our first friend,” Biden said. He continues to be one of our most productive friends. “
Macron praised Biden only as the leader of a global power, but also for bringing “the clarity and loyalty of a spouse who loves and respects Europeans. “
It’s a sophisticated complaint from former President Donald Trump, whose “America First” foreign policy has rattled European leaders. They are now arguing, cautiously, about the option of a forced return next year if the presumptive Republican nominee defeats the incumbent Democrat. candidate in the November elections.
Macron hosted Trump on July 14, 2017, and the French president traveled to Washington to spend time in 2018 before their relations deteriorated.
Despite disagreements over whether to send allied trainers to Ukrainian soil to defend the country against the Russian invasion, Macron insisted that “I think we agree with this war that is plaguing Ukraine”. He took the opportunity to state that the continent will have to do more to ensure its own defense – to salute Biden’s leadership: “Thank you for the status in Europe. “
Macron expressed hope that when Group of Seven leaders meet next week in Italy, they will agree on a $50 billion “solidarity fund” for Ukraine that will be subsidized through sanctioned Russian assets.
The two leaders also celebrated the rescue by Israeli forces of four hostages taken by Hamas on Saturday. “We will not flee until all the hostages go home and a ceasefire is reached,” Biden said as Macron called on the Israeli government to do more to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Macron said he supported a ceasefire proposal promoted through Biden that would allow an influx of humanitarian aid into the territory and allow more hostages to enter. The United States has said it is waiting for Hamas’ official reaction to the potential deal.
The French leader raised the factor of U. S. industrial practices that he has criticized, adding the Inflation Reduction Act, which favors U. S. -made weather technologies such as electric vehicles. Macron said the United States, like China, has “decided not to comply with global industry regulations” through stricter protections and subsidies, while European industry remains open and stuck in over-regulation.
As the two met outside the palace, Biden appeared to recommend to his host that the U. S. and Europe could simply “coordinate together,” and he heard Macron talk about his latest verbal exchange with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who opposed a sharp increase in U. S. tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
Biden welcomed Macron in December 2022 to the White House for the first state of his presidency as the COVID-19 pandemic receded.
As the presidency draws to a close, the far-right is expected to become one of the big winners in Sunday’s European Parliament elections, while Macron’s pro-European Union motion is losing steam.