Biden calls France “our first friend” and enduring ally during state visit in Paris

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 with a state visit Saturday by French President Emmanuel Macron with the aim to showcase their partnership on global security issues. and ease past trade tensions.

Biden and Macron participated in the ceremonies that marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day on Thursday and met separately the next day with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris. The leaders used both commitments to underscore the urgent need to support Kiev’s fight against Russia’s invasion.

But Macron and Biden have frequently bristled at the pace of support for Ukraine, especially as the United States, by far the biggest contributor to Kiev’s defense, was forced to suspend aid shipments for months while congressional Republicans held up a assistance package.

The state visit began with a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe, including a wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in France, and a military parade along the Champs-Elysées leading to the Élysée Palace, where the two held official meetings. and gave public speeches and statements. Later, there is a state dinner at the palace for Biden and his wife, Jill.

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, fortified in Normandy 80 years ago but with much deeper roots, that was the centerpiece of the weekend.

Calling himself a student of French history, Biden said the visit was a “great honor” and noted that U.S. ties with France date back to the Revolutionary War.

“France was our first friend,” Biden said. “He 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.”

It appeared to be a subtle dig at former President Donald Trump, whose “America First” foreign policy rattled European leaders. They are now cautiously debating the possibility of their return to power next year, should the presumptive Republican candidate defeat the Democratic candidate in the November elections.

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 sending allied trainers to Ukrainian soil to support the country’s defense against Russia’s invasion, Macron insisted that: “I think we are in agreement about this war that is raging in Ukraine. He tempered his previous concerns about the US commitment to Europe – which he used to argue that the continent must do more to ensure its own defense – to praise Biden’s leadership: “Thank you for standing with 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, which will be backed by sanctioned Russian assets.

The two leaders also celebrated the rescue, on Saturday, by Israeli forces, of four hostages taken by Hamas. “We will not stop working until all hostages return home and a ceasefire is reached,” Biden said as Macron called out the Israeli government for not doing more to bring humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

Macron said he supported a ceasefire proposal promoted by Biden that would allow an increase in humanitarian assistance in the territory and allow for the release of more hostages. The US said it awaits Hamas’ formal response to the potential deal.

The French leader raised the issue of US trade practices that he has frequently criticized, including the Inflation Reduction Act, which favors US-made climate technology such as electric vehicles. Macron said the US, like China, “has decided not to respect the rules of global trade”, strengthening protections and subsidies while European industry remains open and trapped by excessive regulation.

When the two met outside the palace, Biden appeared to suggest to his host that the US and Europe could “coordinate”, and was heard telling Macron about his most recent conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, which opposed strong pressure from the USA. tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

Biden received Macron in December 2022 at the White House to the first state visit of his presidency as the COVID-19 pandemic eased.

As the president’s trip comes to an end, the far right is expected to emerge as one of the biggest winners in Sunday’s European Parliament elections, while Macron’s pro-European Union movement is weakening.