WASHINGTON, D.C. – Presidents Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron met Thursday for the centerpiece talks of a pomp-filled French state visit, eager to discuss the Ukraine conflict, concerns about China’s increasing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, and European dismay over aspects of Biden’s signature climate law.
On Thursday evening, Biden will celebrate Macron with the first state dinner of his presidency, but before the two leaders met in the Oval Office to discuss the challenging difficulties they face.
The nine-month-old war in Ukraine is at the top of the agenda, with Biden and Macron facing headwinds as they strive to preserve unity in the US and Europe to keep economic and military aid coming to Kyiv as it seeks to repel Russian forces.
“The decisions we make today and in the next years will shape the direction of our globe for decades,” Biden said during an arrival ceremony.
Macron acknowledged the “difficult circumstances” in Ukraine at the start of the face-to-face meeting and urged the two countries to “synchronize our activities” on climate change.
The leaders began their discussions immediately after hundreds of people arrived on the South Lawn on a beautiful, cool morning for the ceremony, which included a 21-gun salute and soldier review. The guests gathered to watch Biden and Macron begin their state visit were given miniature French and American flags by ushers.
At the ceremony, both leaders paid gratitude to their countries’ long alliance. However, they acknowledged that difficult times were ahead as Western solidarity begins to fray nine months into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Republicans are due to assume control of the House in Washington, and GOP leader Kevin McCarthy has stated that his party’s MPs will not sign a “blank check” to Ukraine.
Across the Atlantic, Macron’s efforts to keep Europe unified will be put to the test as the costs of helping Ukraine in the war grow and Europe grapples with rising energy prices, which threaten to undermine the post-pandemic economic recovery.
Macron highlighted the need of the US and France keeping the West unified as the fight continues.
“Our two countries are sisters in the battle for liberty,” Macron said.
Despite the promise of maintaining unity, trade disagreements loomed over the visit.
Macron and other European leaders have expressed alarm about incentives in a new climate-related law that favor American-made climate technology, particularly electric automobiles.
He slammed the measure, known as the Inflation Reduction Act, during a lunch with US politicians on Wednesday and again during a speech at the French Embassy. While the Biden administration’s efforts to combat climate change should be appreciated, Macron believes the subsidies would be a huge setback for European businesses.
“The decisions that have been made… will split the West,” Macron stated. He claimed that the legislation “creates such contrasts between the United States of America and Europe that all those who work in various companies (in the US) will simply think, ‘We don’t make investments on the other side of the Atlantic any longer.'”
He also stated that large industrialized nations must do more to combat climate change and support biodiversity.
Macron claimed in an interview aired Thursday on ABC’s “Good Morning America” said the US and France were working effectively together on the Ukraine war and geopolitics in general, but not on “certain economic concerns.”
He claimed that the US climate bill and semiconductor legislation were not effectively coordinated with Europe, resulting in a “lack of a level playing field.”
Previously, he had attacked a pact reached at a recent climate summit in Egypt in which the United States and other wealthier nations agreed to contribute to the cost of compensating impoverished countries for the damage caused by global warming. The agreement contains few details on how it would be funded, and Macron stated that a more complete strategy is required — “not just a new fund we decided which will not be funded and even if it is funded, it will not be administered correctly.”
The scathing remarks come on the heels of another low point last year, when Biden announced an agreement to sell nuclear submarines to Australia, weakening a contract for France to deliver diesel-powered submarines. Since then, the relationship has improved, with Biden admitting to a bungled submarine deal launch and Macron emerging as one of Biden’s greatest European friends in the Western response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Concerned about the Inflation Reduction Act, the European Union has voiced worry that tax breaks, such as those targeted at encouraging Americans to buy electric vehicles, would discriminate against European companies and violate World Trade Organization standards.
According to a senior French government official, Macron planned to argue against the subsidies to US officials, emphasizing the importance of “Europe, like the US, coming out stronger… not weaker” as the world recovers from the epidemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
According to a second French source who requested anonymity in accordance with the presidency’s typical policies, Macron intends to seek exceptions to US legislation for select European clean energy producers.
Officials from the Biden administration have argued that the measure will go a long way toward assisting the United States in meeting global climate change targets.
Macron also raised eyebrows earlier this month during a speech at a summit in Bangkok by referring to the United States and China as “two giant elephants” on the verge of causing “a big problem for the rest of the jungle.” His visit to Washington comes as both the United States and France keep a close eye on China following protests last weekend in many mainland cities and Hong Kong against Beijing’s “zero COVID” approach.
The prestige of this state visit is a diplomatic boost for Macron that he may use in Europe. Even if he has a great relationship with Biden, his harsh views help him demonstrate that he is supporting French workers. The occasion also serves to bolster Macron’s image as the EU’s most visible and vocal leader, at a time when Europe is growing afraid that the Ukraine war, as well as the attendant energy and inflation crises, would irreparably harm its economy.
According to the palace, Macron and his wife, Brigitte, arrived in the United States with gifts meticulously suited to their American hosts, including a vinyl and CD of the original soundtrack from the 1966 film “Un Homme et une Femme,” which the Bidens saw on their first date.
Biden and First Lady Jill Biden presented the Macrons with a mirror made by an American furniture manufacturer and framed by fallen wood from the White House grounds. It’s a replica of a mirror in the West Wing from the White House collection.
President Macron also received a personalized vinyl record collection of famous American performers from Biden, as well as an archival facsimile print of Thomas Edison’s 1877 Patent for the American Phonograph. Mrs. Macron received a gold and emerald pendant necklace crafted by a French-American designer from the First Lady.
Harris will host Macron for lunch at the State Department before the evening state supper for 350 guests, which will be held in a massive tented pavilion built on the White House South Lawn.
Source: AP
