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Biden calls France ‘our 1st friend’ as he’s honored by Macron with a state visit

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 aimed at showing off their partnership on global security issues and easing past trade tensions.

Quick Read

  • Biden calls France ‘our first friend’ and enduring ally: Honored by Macron with a state visit highlighting their long-standing partnership.
  • Historical ties: Biden emphasizes the deep historical connections, calling the visit a “great honor.”
  • Ukraine support: Both leaders prioritize supporting Ukraine against Russia, addressing differences in support pace.
  • State visit events: Included a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe, military parade, official meetings, and a state dinner.
  • Praise and critique: Macron praises Biden’s leadership, subtly criticizes Trump’s “America First” policy, and calls out U.S. trade practices.
  • Hostage rescue: Both leaders celebrate the rescue of four hostages by Israeli forces, urging continued efforts for a cease-fire in Gaza.
  • Trade discussions: Macron criticizes U.S. trade policies under the Inflation Reduction Act, urging better coordination.
  • Previous state visit: Biden hosted Macron at the White House in December 2022.
  • Upcoming European elections: Macron’s pro-EU movement faces challenges as the far right gains momentum.

The Associated Press has the story:

Biden calls France ‘our 1st friend’ as he’s honored by Macron with a state visit

Newslooks- PARIS (AP) —

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 aimed at showing off their partnership on global security issues and easing past trade tensions.

French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President Joe Biden deliver a statement to the press, Saturday, June 8, 2024 at the Elysee Palace, in Paris. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Biden and Macron attended ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day on Thursday and met separately the following day with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris. The leaders both used those engagements used to underscore the urgent need to support Kyiv’s fight against Russia’s invasion.

French President Emmanuel Macron listens to U.S. President Joe Biden, as he delivers a statement to the press, Saturday, June 8, 2024, at the Elysee Palace, in Paris. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

But Macron and Biden have often chafed at the pace of support for Ukraine, especially as the United States, by far the largest contributor to Kyiv’s defense, was forced to pause aid shipments for months while congressional Republicans held up an assistance package.

French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President Joe Biden deliver a statement to the press, Saturday, June 8, 2024 at the Elysee Palace, in Paris. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

The state visit began with a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe, including a wreath-laying at France’s tomb of the unknown soldier, and a military parade along the Champs-Élysées leading to the Élysée Palace, where the two held official meetings and delivered public statements. Later, there is a state dinner at the palace for Biden and his wife, Jill.

President Joe Biden gestures as he leaves accompanied by French President Emmanuel Macron, left, after their talks, Saturday, June 8, 2024 at the Elysee Palace in Paris. President Joe Biden is being feted by French President Emmanuel Macron with a state visit Saturday as the two allies aim to show off their partnership on global security issues and move past trade tensions. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

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 at Normandy 80 years ago but with roots far deeper, that was the centerpiece of the weekend.

Calling himself a student of French history, Biden said the visit was a “great honor” and he noted that America’s ties to France date to the Revolutionary War.

President Joe Biden shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron, left, after their talks, Saturday, June 8, 2024 at the Elysee Palace in Paris. President Joe Biden is being feted by French President Emmanuel Macron with a state visit Saturday as the two allies aim to show off their partnership on global security issues and move past trade tensions. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

“France was our first friend,” Biden said. “It remains one of our best friends.”

Macron praised Biden as not just the leader of a world power but also for bringing the “clarity and loyalty of a partner that loves and respects the Europeans.”

President Joe Biden smiles with French President Emmanuel Macron, left, after their talks Saturday, June 8, 2024 at the Elysee Palace in Paris. President Joe Biden is being feted by French President Emmanuel Macron with a state visit Saturday as the two allies aim to show off their partnership on global security issues and move past trade tensions. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

It appeared to be a subtle criticism of former President Donald Trump, whose “America First” foreign policy has shaken European leaders. They are now contending, gingerly, with the possibility of his return to power next year should the presumptive Republican nominee defeat the Democratic incumbent in November’s election.

Macron hosted Trump for Bastille Day in 2017, and the French president came to Washington for a state visit in 2018 before their relationship soured.

French President Emmanuel Macron, right, and US President Joe Biden attend a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe, Saturday June 8, 2024 in Paris. President Joe Biden is being feted by French President Emmanuel Macron with a state visit Saturday, as the two allies aim to show off their partnership on global security issues and move past trade tensions. (Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP)

Despite disagreements over whether to send allies trainers onto Ukrainian soil to support the country’s defense against Russia’s invasion, Macron insisted that, “I think we see eye to eye on this war raging in Ukraine. He tempered his previous concerns about U.S. commitment to Europe — which he has used to argue that the continent must do more to provide for its own defense — to praise Biden’s leadership: “Thank you for being at Europe’s side.”

French President Emmanuel Macron, right, welcomes President Joe Biden before a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe, Saturday June 8, 2024 in Paris. President Joe Biden is being feted by French President Emmanuel Macron with a state visit Saturday, as the two allies aim to show off their partnership on global security issues and move past trade tensions. (Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP)

Macron expressed hope that when the Group of Seven leaders meet this coming week in Italy they will agree to a $50 billion “solidarity fund” for Ukraine that will be backed by sanctioned Russian assets.

French President Emmanuel Macron, center right, U.S. President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, and Brigitte Macron, gesture, at the Elysee Palace, Saturday, June 8, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

The two leaders also celebrated the rescue Saturday by Israeli forces of four hostages taken by Hamas. “We won’t stop working until all the hostages come home and a cease-fire is reached,” Biden said as Macron called out the Israeli government for not doing more to get humanitarian assistance into Gaza.

French President Emmanuel Macron, left, talks with President Joe Biden Saturday, June 8, 2024 at the Elysee Palace in Paris. President Joe Biden is being feted by French President Emmanuel Macron with a state visit Saturday, as the two allies aim to show off their partnership on global security issues and move past trade tensions. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, Pool)

Macron said he supported a Biden-promoted cease-fire proposal that would allow a surge of humanitarian assistance into the territory and allow for the release of more hostages. The U.S. has said it is awaiting Hamas’ formal response to the potential deal.

President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, left, react after their talks, Saturday, June 8, 2024 at the Elysee Palace in Paris. President Joe Biden is being feted by French President Emmanuel Macron with a state visit Saturday as the two allies aim to show off their partnership on global security issues and move past trade tensions. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

The French leader raised the issue of U.S. trade practices that he has often criticized, including the Inflation Reduction Act, which favors American-made climate technology such as electric vehicles. Macron said the U.S., like China, has “decided not to respect the rules of global trade” by shoring up protections and subsidies while Europe’s industry remains open and is stuck in overregulation.

U.S. First Lady Jill, Biden, U.S. President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron walk by the tomb of the Unknown soldier during a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe, Saturday, June 8, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

As the pair met outside the palace, Biden appeared to suggest to his host that that the U.S. and Europe could “coordinate together,” and he was heard telling Macron about his most recent conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who was objecting to steep U.S. tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

French President Emmanuel Macron, lcenter right, stands with US President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and Brigitte Macron, right, during a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe, Saturday June 8, 2024 in Paris. President Joe Biden is being feted by French President Emmanuel Macron with a state visit Saturday, as the two allies aim to show off their partnership on global security issues and move past trade tensions. (Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP)

Biden hosted Macron in December 2022 at the White House for the first state visit of his presidency as the COVID-19 pandemic receded.

As the president’s trip draws to a close, the far right is likely to emerge as one of the biggest winners in Sunday’s European Parliament election while Macron’s pro-European Union movement is flagging.

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