Biden and Macron affirm the strength of their alliance, despite the differences

US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron expressed today, Thursday, the strength of the alliance between the United States and France, "the two brotherly countries in defense of freedom," despite the tension resulting from the policy of supporting American industries, which Paris considered "hostile."

"The United States cannot wish for a better partner to work with than France," the US President said in a brief statement, stressing that the alliance with France remains "essential."

For his part, the French President said, "Our common destiny requires us to respond together" to global challenges, stressing that France and the United States are "brother countries in defense of freedom," calling for renewing the alliance between them.

President Biden and his wife, Jill, welcomed his French counterpart and his wife Brigitte at the White House with 21 cannon shots and the playing of the national anthems of both countries.

The ceremony was carefully organized to highlight the good relationship between the two countries.

On their way to the Oval Office, where they will hold discussions in front of the fireplace before a press conference, the French President was seen patting Joe Biden on the shoulder.

On Thursday, Macron stressed the "importance" of close coordination to address the repercussions of the Russian war on Ukraine "on our economies and peoples."

This is the first state visit by a president to the United States since Biden assumed the presidency in January 2021.

After the turmoil in the presidency of his predecessor, Donald Trump, the Democratic president seeks to strengthen ties with traditional US partners, including the "senior ally", which is the formula by which Washington refers to France.

However, Biden's relations did not start well with his French counterpart.

In September 2021, the United States announced a massive new military alliance with Britain and Australia, Ocos, which led to the cancellation of a massive contract under which France would sell submarines to Canberra.

Biden, without backing down from the essence of the decision, acknowledged "recklessness" in dealing, and since then he has been making every effort to appease Emmanuel Macron, a process that analysts say culminates in this official reception in Washington.

The two presidents will discuss other differences during this visit.

On Wednesday, Macron deplored, in a firm tone, the economic decisions taken by his American counterpart, which he considered "extremely hostile" towards European companies.

Biden, in particular, pushed for the approval of a broad investment plan entitled “Inflation Reduction Act” (Inflation Reduction Act), which provides in particular for the provision of subsidies for the purchase of electric cars, provided that they are made in the United States.

Macron said about this plan, addressing US parliamentarians on Wednesday, "You may thus solve your problem, but you exacerbate my problem," stressing the need for France to also support the middle class and jobs.

He assured the French community that these options "disperse the West," stressing that "these options can only succeed if there is coordination between us, if we make decisions together, if we harmonize again."

Emmanuel Macron and his wife dined on Wednesday with Biden and his wife at a seafood restaurant on the banks of the Potomac River, during which personal and "political" conversations took place, according to what a French presidential advisor said.

He explained, "We did not come to Washington to celebrate our alliance, as this is acquired, but rather to discuss actual issues."

Besides these talks, the two presidents will certainly also express their consensus on the position on Russia's war on Ukraine.

"Together we must weave the world's new alliances in order to achieve peace and build a renewed and more equal partnership with the south," Emmanuel Macron said Thursday morning.

All these issues will be set aside for the time being during the state dinner that takes place on Thursday evening.

On tables replete with candelabra and flowers in the colors of the flags of the two countries, lobster, beef and orange cake will be served.

But the American first lady also insisted on providing American cheeses, including the blue cheese (Roquefort) made by Oregon, which is the first American production to win an international award for the best cheese in 2019.

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