Macron-Biden: a new era for Franco-American relations?
Emmanuel Macron in telephone conversation with Joe Biden at the Élysée Palace, November 10, 2020. REUTERS - POOL
Text by: Valérie Gas Follow
2 min
With the inauguration of Joe Biden, the Trump page has turned to the United States.
In Paris, President Macron is waiting for this step to start working with the new American president in the hope that he will initiate a return of the United States to multilateral bodies.
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Emmanuel Macron and Joe Biden only spoke once when the French president phoned Joe Biden to congratulate him on his election.
Since then, we have continued to “
work
” with the Trump administration, we explain to the Elysee, because until January 20 they are the ones who are “
in charge
”, and on the side of the elected American president, we have clearly wanted "
strict respect
" for this situation even if the French diplomats know the new team well because most of them were already working with Barack Obama.
But another time, another president and other objectives.
In Emmanuel Macron's entourage, we remain cautious and we wait to see the positions that will be taken by Joe Biden in the first months of his presidency, knowing that he will have to manage "the legacy of Trump" and prioritize to business "
domestic and national ”.
► To listen and read also: Macron, Biden and multilateralism
In Paris, the tone is therefore not to approach this new stage by giving the impression of preferring one president to another.
“
Emmanuel Macron respects the choice of the Americans.
The United States remains our ally regardless of the presidents,
”explains an adviser.
The French head of state nonetheless welcomed Joe Biden's decision to announce the
return of the United States
to the Paris climate agreement.
He is now waiting for "actions", particularly on health or the approach to Africa.
► To read also: Presidency Biden: what place for Africa?
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France
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Emmanuel Macron
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Diplomacy
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