(Washington) He wanted to be “direct” on the first day of his state visit: Emmanuel Macron deplored Wednesday in Washington the “super aggressive” measures taken by Joe Biden to boost American industry, before warning that they risked “fragmenting the West”.
On the first day of an official trip to celebrate Franco-American friendship, the French president did not hide his concerns, first 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 companies”, he lamented, according to an AFP journalist present in the Hall.
“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 [qui doit] work and people who need to 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.
The French president reiterated his concerns in the evening during a speech to the French community at the French embassy.
“The choices made, whose objectives I share, in particular the IRA, are choices that will fragment the West,” said Emmanuel Macron.
” Adjustment variable ”
Stressing that the alliance with the United States was “stronger than anything”, he nevertheless warned against the “risk” that “Europe and France become a kind of adjustment variable” for the rivalry between the United States and China, the two leading world powers.
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 tomb of Pierre Charles L’Enfant, the French architect who drew the plans for the American capital.
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, between strokes of cannon, meeting in the oval office and gala dinner.
American cheeses
The First Lady detailed to the press on Wednesday the reception which will be given under a large tent in the gardens of the White House, an “expression of welcome and friendship”. The photographers were able to machine-gun the tables laden with white, blue and red flowers, as well as the planned dishes – lobster, beef and American cheeses.
She praised the personal ties between the two presidential couples and explained that she had an “instant connection” with Brigitte Macron because of their similar professional backgrounds in teaching.
The evening will be hosted by Jon Batiste, jazzman from New Orleans – where Emmanuel Macron will go on Friday. This singer and composer is also an artist committed to defending the rights of African-Americans.
On the American side, we hope to turn the page of the serious diplomatic crisis of last year for good.
In September 2021, the United States announced a new alliance, AUKUS, with Australia and the United Kingdom, arousing the ire of France, kept away in a key region of the world and which lost, in passing , a mega-deal to sell submarines in Canberra.
In addition to the issue of trade protectionism, Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron should also discuss major international issues on Thursday: China and Ukraine.