Until Friday, Emmanuel Macron will be in the United States for a state visit during which several hot issues will be discussed with Joe Biden.
Emmanuel Macron in the United States. The President of the French Republic is expected on the night of Tuesday November 29 to Wednesday November 30 in Washington. The Head of State is preparing to embark on a crucial trip across the Atlantic. Invited by US President Joe Biden for a state visit, Emmanuel Macron, who will be accompanied for the occasion by his wife Brigitte Macron, as well as several French ministers and personalities from various sectors, must, among other things, pay tribute to the unknown American soldier, honor the memory of the French civil engineer and architect Pierre Charles L’Enfant, who in his time drew up the plans for Washington DC, and travel to Louisiana and New Orleans.
A trip that promises to be as rich in travel as in strong images of the presidential couple. But beyond the ceremonial visit, given the international and economic context, the discussions with his American counterpart should also be particularly rich. The war in Ukraine will be discussed in particular, but above all, the thorny subject of American protectionism in the face of inflation should be tackled by Emmanuel Macron, who will be the spokesperson for the Europeans, the first victims of this Inflation reduction act.
What are the hot issues that Emmanuel Macron will address during his visit to the United States?
The Inflation Reduction Act, or the payment of aid for the purchase of American products
There are many sticking points between the two countries. Starting with the great financial plan put in place by Joe Biden: the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, officially promulgated on August 16, 2022. This plan plans to pay Americans generous subsidies for the purchase of products manufactured in the country, in the sectors of electric cars, batteries and renewable energies. Aid that will not be valid on products outside the United States. An example: €7,500 tax credit for the purchase of an American electric car with a battery manufactured in the United States, i.e. a tax reduction of this amount which could lead to a reimbursement by the State to the individual. Other aids of the same type are planned in the aforementioned sectors.
Why is this at the center of Emmanuel Macron’s visit?
The IRA is certainly the hottest issue. Indeed, the Europeans – for whom Emmanuel Macron seems to be the spokesperson during this visit – fear a disastrous effect on the industries of the Old Continent if the Americans no longer place orders. Worse, they are alarmed by possible relocations of certain companies across the Atlantic because the payment of aid from the IRA is conditional on 100% American production, even in terms of raw materials and components. A national preference that tenses politicians and big businessmen.
What will Emmanuel Macron ask?
It’s simple: Emmanuel Macron wants exemptions for the European Union. The President of the Republic hopes to be able to negotiate with Joe Biden some agreements to prevent European industries from suffering too much from this American plan. “If it is possible to move forward on the consequences of the IRA by moderating them, it will be very important,” said an Elysian adviser. The question should be addressed Thursday morning (3 p.m. in France), when Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron will meet at the White House, but also during his meeting, at the end of this head-to-head, with officials of the House of Representatives, the Senate, the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.
What strategy to adopt on the war between Ukraine and Russia?
This trip to the United States will also be an opportunity for Emmanuel Macron to discuss with Joe Biden the subject of the war in Ukraine. This will obviously not be the first time that the two presidents have addressed the issue. But it will be a question of trying to convince the American head of state to really discuss with Russia to consider a way out of the conflict thanks to negotiations, while maintaining intense support for the Ukrainian army. If the United States was previously closed to any discussion, a window to consider a diplomatic solution has recently opened. It is up to Emmanuel Macron to convince his counterpart to fully commit to this path during their interview in the Oval Office on Thursday morning, but also during the meeting between the President of the Republic, Anthony Blinken, head of American diplomacy , and Kamala Harris, vice president, a few hours later, that same Thursday.
Space, nuclear, biodiversity and Francophonie conquest also on the program
Beyond these two main themes, there will obviously be other topics during Emmanuel Macron’s visit, discussed before Thursday, which promises to be highly important. A part will be dedicated to the cooperation of the two countries in the space field, announces Le Figaro. The theme will be discussed on Wednesday morning, at the start of the French President’s visit, during a first interview with Kamala Harris, while the President of the Republic will be accompanied by Thomas Pesquet and Sophie Adenot, the new French astronaut from the Agency. European space. The details of the topics covered are not known.
No more than for the meeting planned next, devoted to biodiversity during discussions with the biodiversity group of the American Parliament. On Wednesday afternoon, nuclear will be discussed. A highly sensitive subject on which cooperation will be discussed, in the presence of several ministers and key figures in this sector.
Emmanuel Macron’s trip will end in New Orleans, Florida. In this city founded by a Frenchman, the Head of State will announce the creation of a Fund for the French language in order to promote the learning of French in the United States. It will also be about climate, culture and music.