After two days of negotiations, marked by hugs and sumptuous dinners, Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Washington ended on Thursday. The Russian invasion of Ukraine was one of the issues on the table and the two heads of state agreed to seek a solution together.
More thorny: the consequences of Joe Biden’s great climate plan, considered protectionist and “discriminatory” by the European Union.
• About Ukraine, Paris and Washington hand in hand
This is one of the most urgent files. Emmanuel Macron and his American counterpart Joe Biden have expressed their desire to seek a solution together in Ukraine, but without reducing their support for kyiv.
“I am ready to talk to Putin if he is looking for a way to end the war. He hasn’t done it yet,” the US president told a joint news conference with his French counterpart in the midst of the war on Thursday. day.
Joe Biden also stressed that any discussion with the Russian president would be done “in consultation with (his) French and NATO friends.” “We will remain united to (us) oppose Russia’s brutality” in Ukraine, the 80-year-old Democrat explained, as the conflict enters its 10th month, and especially in a harsh winter season.
The French president, whose positions on the matter have in the past aroused incomprehension, even some irritation from the Americans, told him that he would “never push the Ukrainians to accept a compromise that would be unacceptable to them” in relation to Russian aggression. , because that would not make it possible to build “a lasting peace”.
In a joint statement, the two countries assured that they will continue to provide Kiev with “political, security, humanitarian and economic assistance for as long as it is needed.”
• “A very good discussion” on the economy
This state visit, the first hosted by the Biden administration, was also an opportunity to address the most contentious issue of the moment: Joe Biden’s energy transition policy, which includes $420 billion in investments, a large part of which They are in the form of subsidies and tax reductions, particularly for electric vehicles, batteries and renewable energy projects that promote “made in the USA”.
This plan had made both Brussels and European capitals jump, which see these various subsidies as “discriminatory” measures and “contrary to the rules of the World Trade Organization.”
A plan described this Wednesday as “super aggressive” by Emmanuel Macron, who had even estimated, in the face of the The French citizens gathered in the embassy, that “the elections that are made are elections that will fragment the West”, as reported The world.
“I do not apologize for this legislation,” said Joe Biden, however promising to fix the “defects” in his “Inflation Reduction Act”, a pharaonic investment plan in green energy, especially in electric cars.
After several hours of negotiations, the heads of state said they wanted to “synchronize” the approaches on both sides of the Atlantic. “We have agreed to discuss practical ways to synchronize our approaches to strengthen the supply chain, production and innovation on both sides of the Atlantic,” the US president said.
“An awareness”, “there is a before and after the visit to Washington”, greeted the entourage of Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire, who was on the trip. The Americans “realize that this can affect the European industry and that is not their objective at all”, we believe from the same source, now wanting to believe in a “real conscience at the highest summit of the American state”.
• A sumptuous dinner in front of an audience of stars
The White House displayed all its pomp to celebrate Franco-American friendship, on the occasion of this visit brimming with diplomatic affection. When asked why he chose Emmanuel Macron for this first state visit to Washington since his inauguration in early 2021, Joe Biden simply said: “Because he is my friend.”
A “bromance” – contraction of two American words, “brother” and “romance” – resulted in gestures of affection, small intentions between the two men.
To conclude with a sumptuous gala dinner, in the presence of many celebrities, politicians and business leaders. The actress Jennifer Garner, the singer John Legend, the director Baz Luhrmann or the editor-in-chief of Vogue, Anna Wintour, were among the guests. The reception was also attended by members of Joe Biden’s cabinet, parliamentarians and business leaders.
“Tonight we celebrate the long-standing alliance that exists between France and the United States,” Joe Biden said as he toasted: “Vive la France et God bless America (“God bless America”). Emmanuel Macron, speaking after the President American, added that the two countries share “the same values”.
Source: BFM TV
