At the end of a three-day visit to the United States, Emmanuel Macron has managed to establish himself as the European Union’s preferred interlocutor vis-à-vis Washington. He replaces Angela Merkel in this function.
The feat is due in part to the experience Macron gained during his first term and the great chemistry between him and Joe Biden. The international context is also suitable for this. In the face of a China openly attacking democracy, the alliance between France and the United States in defense of freedoms has a particularly symbolic importance. In addition, the war in Ukraine has enabled the authorities of both countries to concentrate on the essentials. A single interruption in this visit: the protectionist policies on both sides of the Atlantic. But the two leaders have promised to work to iron out the obstacles.
1) How is Macron’s visit viewed from France?
It had been a long time since the French President had held such an important place in international diplomacy, both for his strength in the European Union and for his strength vis-à-vis major countries in the world. However, Macron’s performance has been heavily criticized in France. Several commentators see this as just a symbolic achievement that lacks the essentials, namely trade.
2) What are the limits of his visit?
Macron has failed to wring concrete concessions from the US government, which is reorganizing America’s production chains to make them less dependent on dictatorships, particularly China. The European automotive industry is one of the first victims of this reorganization, which has been carried out through subsidies and protectionist measures. Conversely, various European regulatory obstacles affect US exports. Since no agreement could be reached, Biden and Macron have nevertheless promised to work on solving the trade barriers.
3) What was the focus of his visit?
Most of the visit was not about trade but about strengthening ties between the two old democracies. This intensification is the result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and China’s manipulations at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Russian and Chinese dictatorships have finally shown that they are backwards. Each in their own way has threatened global peace and prosperity and shaken the confidence of democracies.
4) How do China and Russia unite democracies?
The resurgence of clearly identified common enemies unites democracies in a division of the world they know well. A department where, despite their flaws, they play the beautiful part. The fact is that the peoples living under dictatorships, despite all the propaganda their leaders hurl at them, strive for democracy.
5) What matters now in international relations?
Trade, which had dominated international relations for the past 40 years, is once again taking a back seat. Above all, military security now has priority over him. France remains well positioned with its nuclear capabilities and military industry in this emerging world. However, without a strong and harmonious European Union, it will not be able to hold its place. However, many European countries, particularly in the east, are more interested in a direct security relationship with the United States than in strengthening the European military apparatus. If there is a fundamental divergence between France and the United States, it is there, much more than in commercial interests.
