The French president, who flew to the federal capital shortly before 4:00 p.m. GMT, intends to discuss with his American counterpart the massive plan to support the energy transition, or Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which grants generous subsidies to electric vehicles , batteries or renewable energies provided they are “made in America”.
Unfair competition, protectionism, we complain in Paris, where we hope to snatch “exemptions” targeted for some European industries.
Just before leaving, Emmanuel Macron had lunch at the Elysee Palace with the Franco-American Business Council, which brings together around forty big bosses from the two countries, including those of TotalEnergie, LVMH, IBM, McDonald’s and Goldman Sachs.
Objective: to “invite them to continue” on the path of “investments” in France, explained the French presidency.
Because France fears more than anything that the IRA favors relocations to the United States and consequently undermines the reindustrialization efforts undertaken.
Beyond these very hypothetical exemptions, President Macron is therefore pleading with other Europeans to equip themselves with comparable commercial weapons, with a “Buy European Act” which would also give priority to products manufactured on the Old Continent.
The IRA “will create opportunities for European or French companies, it’s not a zero-sum game”, tried to reassure a senior American official, before the visit.
These frictions should not spoil the celebration of this state visit, the second for Emmanuel Macron who was already Donald Trump’s guest of honor in 2018.
On Wednesday, after talking about space cooperation with Vice-President Kamala Harris in the presence of French astronauts Thomas Pesquet and Sophie Adenot, the environment with American parliamentarians and civil nuclear power with industry players, the Head of State will address the French community then meet, with his wife Brigitte Macron, Joe and Jill Biden for a “private dinner”.
This will be the occasion for a first exchange in a “very informal, very frank and very friendly framework”, says a French adviser.
Thursday, it is then in a much more solemn, although festive, that Emmanuel Macron will be received at the White House, freshly adorned with the rich decorations and illuminations put in place for the end of year celebrations.
– Cannon shots –
Between Christmas trees laden with artificial snow, garlands and figurines – including those representing the Biden’s dog and cat – he will be welcomed by the American president during a ceremony punctuated by twenty-one cannon shots , the hymns and the review of the troops.
After an interview in the closed door of the Oval Office, a joint press conference and a meeting with the leaders of the American Congress, place at the sumptuous moment of the State dinner.
Under a tent erected in the gardens of the White House, it will be hosted by Jon Batiste, singer and composer, virtuoso of the melodica but also a personality committed to the defense of the rights of African-Americans.
This jazzman who navigates between pop and soul is a pillar of the music scene in New Orleans, the once French city of Louisiana where Emmanuel Macron will go on Friday for a visit dedicated to the Francophonie, in the presence of filmmaker Claude Lellouche and by dancer and choreographer Benjamin Millepied.
Beyond trade issues, the American meeting should allow the presidents of the two allied countries to display their unity in support for Ukraine and, perhaps, to outline a common message in favor of the idea negotiations, in the long term, to end the war launched by Russia – a theme dear to the French head of state that some, in Washington, are also beginning to defend.
France finally wants to “resynchronize the agendas of the European Union and the United States in the face of crises” on “energy prices” and “the fight against inflation”, the government spokesman said on Tuesday. French Olivier Véran.
