Visiting Washington, Macron deplores Biden's 'super aggressive' economic measures
Emmanuel Macron alongside US Vice President Kamala Harris at NASA headquarters on November 30, 2022 in Washington.
AP - Alex Brandon
Text by: RFI Follow
3 mins
He wanted to be "
direct
" on the first day of his state visit: French President Emmanuel Macron deplored Wednesday, November 30 in Washington the "
super aggressive
" measures taken by his American counterpart Joe Biden to boost American industry.
The French head of state pleaded for better economic coordination on both sides of the Atlantic.
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On the first day
of an official trip to celebrate Franco-American friendship
, the French president did not hide his concerns during a lunch with American parliamentarians.
The massive subsidies decided by the American president in a major economic and social law called the "Inflation Reduction Act" (IRA) are "
super aggressive for our businesses
", he lamented.
“
I don't want to become a market for American products, because I have exactly the same products as you.
I have a middle class
(which must)
work and people who must find work.
And the consequence of the IRA is that you may fix your problem, but you'll make mine worse.
I'm sorry to be so direct
, ”said Emmanuel Macron.
US economic patriotism worries Macron
“
Put yourself in my place
,” he told elected officials at this meeting devoted to climate change, asking to be “
respected as a good friend
”.
France sees with concern the uninhibited economic patriotism shown by the American Democratic President, who has given himself the watchword "
Made in the USA
".
Joe Biden intends in particular to boost the electric vehicle sector, with a view to both boosting industrial employment, energy transition and technological competition with China.
The French president indicated that he did not “
believe for a second
” in an American volte-face, but pleaded for better synchronization between the United States and Europe.
Joe Biden's spokesperson, Karine Jean-Pierre, repeated Washington's position, namely that this "Inflation Reduction Act" creates "
significant opportunities for European businesses and for European energy security.
It's not a zero-sum game
."
The state visit of Emmanuel Macron, the first foreign leader to whom Joe Biden reserves this diplomatic honor, continued on a more solemn tone.
The head of state went to Arlington National Cemetery, where he laid a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier, but also a white rose at the grave of Pierre Charles L'Enfant.
This French architect drew the plans for the American capital.
At Arlington National Cemetery, where American veterans are buried, including so many heroes who fell to liberate France.
pic.twitter.com/Hl1soPL23E
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 1, 2022
Visit to NASA
A little earlier,
the French president had started this state visit
by meeting Vice-President Kamala Harris at NASA headquarters, accompanied by astronaut Thomas Pesquet.
Emmanuel Macron wants to make space an example of successful Franco-American cooperation with his main ambassador at his side, reports our special correspondent in Washington,
Valérie Gas
.
From his first words, Emmanuel Macron mentioned Thomas Pesquet's participation in the Artemis mission, launched by the Americans to return to the moon, with a smile that does not hide a real desire from Paris to be associated with this project.
Kamala Harris also played the game by evoking her pride in working with France, recalling that Paris and Washington have been partners in the space field for 60 years.
A long cooperation therefore that the two countries seem to want to strengthen on the occasion of the state visit of Emmanuel Macron.
In the French delegation, we also insist on the importance of a meeting at this level to give new impetus and obtain faster progress in three identified areas: Earth observation, space exploration and 'industry.
This Wednesday evening, after a meeting on civilian nuclear power and a meeting with the French community, Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron will meet Joe and Jill Biden for an intimate dinner, far from the formal pomp that the White House will deploy on Thursday for the French president. From cannon shots, to a meeting in the Oval Office, to a gala dinner.
(
With
AFP)
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