President Joe Biden said France was America’s “first friend” at its founding and is one of its closest allies more than two centuries later, as he was honored Saturday with a state visit by French President Emmanuel Macron aimed at showcasing their partnership on global security issues and reducing past trade tensions.
Biden and macron attended ceremonies to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day on Thursday and met separately the following day Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris. The leaders both used these commitments to underline the urgent need to support Kiev’s fight against the Russian invasion.
But Macron and Biden have often chafed at the pace of aid to Ukraine, especially as the United States, by far the biggest contributor to Kiev’s defense, was forced to suspend aid shipments for months while Republicans in Congress ramped up an aid package kept.
The state visit began with a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe, including the laying of a wreath at the French Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and a military parade along the Champs-Élysées leading to the Élysée Palace, where the two held official meetings and held public meetings. explanations. Later there will be a state dinner at the palace for Biden and his wife Jill.
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Biden and Macron put the war in Ukraine at the top of Saturday’s agenda, but it was the strength of the countries’ long alliance, cemented in Normandy eighty years ago but with much deeper roots, that was the focus of the weekend.
Calling himself a student of French history, Biden said the visit was a “great honor,” noting that America’s ties with France date back to the Revolutionary War.
“France was our first friend,” Biden said. “It remains one of our best friends.”
Macron praised Biden not only as the leader of a world power, but also for bringing the “clarity and loyalty of a partner who loves and respects Europeans.”
Michel Euler / AP
It appeared to be a subtle criticism of former President Donald Trump, whose “America First” foreign policy has shocked European leaders. They are now warily battling the possibility that he will return to power next year if the presumptive Republican nominee were to defeat the Democratic incumbent in the November election.
Macron hosted Trump on Bastille Day in 2017, and the French president came to Washington for a state visit in 2018 before their relationship soured.
Despite disagreements over whether to send allied trainers to Ukrainian territory to support the country’s defense against Russian invasion, Macron insisted that “I think we agree on this war that is raging in Ukraine. He tempered his previous concerns about U.S. involvement in Europe — through which he has argued that the continent must do more to provide for its own defense — to praise Biden’s leadership: “Thank you for standing with Europe.”
Macron expressed hope that when Group of Seven leaders meet in Italy next week, they will agree to a $50 billion “solidarity fund” for Ukraine, which will be backed by sanctioned Russian assets.
The two leaders also celebrated the rescue by Israeli forces of four hostages held by Hamas on Saturday. “We will not stop working until all the hostages come home and a ceasefire is reached,” Biden said as Macron called out the Israeli government for not doing more to get humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Macron said he supported a ceasefire proposal promoted by Biden that would allow a wave of humanitarian aid to the area and the release of more hostages. The US has said it is awaiting Hamas’ formal response to the potential deal.
Evan Vucci/AP
The French leader raised the issue of U.S. trade practices that he has often criticized, including the Inflation Reduction Act, which favors U.S.-made climate technology such as electric vehicles. Macron said the US, like China, has “decided not to respect the rules of global trade” by strengthening protections and subsidies, while European industry remains open and mired in over-regulation.
As the pair met outside the palace, Biden appeared to suggest to his host that the US and Europe could “coordinate together”, and he was heard telling Macron about his latest conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who objected to steep American elections. tariffs for Chinese electric vehicles.
Biden hosted Macron at the White House in December 2022 the first state visit of his presidency as the COVID-19 pandemic receded.
As the president’s visit draws to a close, the far right is likely to emerge as one of the biggest winners in Sunday’s European Parliament elections, while Macron’s pro-European movement is weakening.
