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French president Emmanuel Macron is expected to confront his host Joe Biden over the impact of new American subsidies on European markets during his state visit to the US today.
Yesterday, Mr Macron described the Inflation Reduction Act as “super aggressive” toward European companies, in a meeting with American lawmakers at the Library of Congress, one participant told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
European leaders have complained about the legislative package, signed by Mr Biden in August, that offers massive subsidies for US-made products. They say it unfairly disadvantages non-American companies and harms their economies as Europe deals with the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the legislation “presents significant opportunities for European firms as well as benefits to EU energy security,” when asked about European concerns.
Mr Macron arrived in Washington on Tuesday for his second state visit to the country since taking office in 2017. He kickstarted his three-day trip with a visit to the Nasa headquarters with vice president Kamala Harris.
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Bidens to serve Maine lobster to Macron despite Whole Foods ban over its danger to whales
American Osetra caviar, butter-poached lobster from Maine, beef, and California wines will be presented before Emmanuel Macron for a state dinner hosted by president Joe Biden for his French counterpart.
The Biden family and the Macrons will be part of a red, white and blue-themed gathering at a pavilion set up on the South Lawn of the White House for the first state visit hosted by the American president since he was elected to the office in 2021.
The menu, released in advance of the dinner to be served to 300-400 guests on Thursday, showed the gathering will dine on shallot marmalade, a selection of cheese from three different states, potatoes and beef, and wash it down with wines from California.
My colleague Alisha Rahaman Sarkar reports:
Namita Singh1 December 2022 13:15
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‘Setting dinner table can be an act of love,’ says Jill Biden
Everything from the menu to the entertainment to the table settings and other touches for the glitzy dinner were designed by the White House — and first lady Jill Biden — to highlight the ties that bind America and its oldest ally, France.
A state dinner is a high diplomatic honor that the United States reserves for its closest allies.
“The design of this dinner was inspired by the shared colors of our flags, red white and blue, and our common values, liberty and democracy, equality and fellowship,” Ms Biden said. “These form the bedrock upon which our enduring friendship was built.”
A place setting is seen during a media preview for the upcoming State Dinner for French president Macron, at the White House on 30 November 2022 in Washington, DC
(Getty Images)
First lady Jill Biden speaks during a media preview for the upcoming State Dinner for French president Macron at the White House on 30 November 2022 in Washington, DC
(Getty Images)
White House executive chef Cris Comerford (L) and White House executive pastry chef Susie Morrison speak about the upcoming State Dinner for French president Macron, at the White House on 30 November 2022 in Washington, DC
(Getty Images)
The first lady said she was handling the dinner the way that her mother handled family dinners when she was growing up. Her mother brought out the china, fresh flowers and lit candles “even if we were only having fish sticks from the freezer.”
“I learned that setting a table can be an act of love,” she said, before journalists were permitted to see the tablescapes for the dinner, which is part of a broader state visit to the United States by Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte.
“Our hope is that the end result will be a night that balances the beauty of our friendship with a seriousness of purpose,” she said, ”and we hope that French citizens everywhere feel the warmth of our welcome.”
White House social secretary Carlos Elizondo, who has worked for the Bidens for more than a decade, said “making people feel comfortable and at home” matters most to the couple.
Namita Singh1 December 2022 12:30
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American cheese on White House state dinner menu for France
Maine lobster poached in butter, beef with shallot marmalade and an American cheese trio will be served when French president Emmanuel Macron takes his seat as the guest of honor at a red-white-and-blue themed White House state dinner, the first for president Joe Biden.
Dessert will be orange chiffon cake, roasted pears and creme fraiche ice cream.
Everything from the menu to the entertainment to the table settings and other touches were designed by the White House — and first lady Jill Biden — to highlight the ties that bind America and its oldest ally, France.
The dinner will be held in a heated pavilion on the South Lawn with a guest list that is expected to top 300. Guests will dine at a mix of square and rectangular tables, covered with dark blue silk cloths and decorated with candles and arrangements of red, white and blue flowers, including roses and irises.
Namita Singh1 December 2022 11:45
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US defends Inflation Reduction Act amid Macron criticism
The White House yesterday defended the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), amid considerable pushback from French president Emmanuel Macron during his visit.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the legislation “presents significant opportunities for European firms as well as benefits to EU energy security,” when asked about European concerns.
The IRA has provisions that will contribute to the growth of the clean energy sector globally, she added.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during the daily briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on 30 November 2022
(AFP via Getty Images)
Namita Singh1 December 2022 11:00
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Macron confronts US lawmakers over ‘super aggressive’ Inflation Reduction Act
French president Emmanuel Macron addressed US lawmakers from both political parties on Wednesday and pushed back over new American subsidies that are riling European leaders, according to a participant in a closed-door meeting.
Mr Macron arrived in Washington on Tuesday for his second state visit to the United States since taking office in 2017, ahead of which French officials said he would confront president Joe Biden over the subsidies contained in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
French president Emmanuel Macron speaks during a working lunch on climate and biodiversity issues with US Climate Envoy John Kerry, members of the United States Congress, and key US stakeholders on climate, at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC, on 30 November 2022
(AFP via Getty Images)
In a meeting with US lawmakers at the Library of Congress, Mr Macron said the Inflation Reduction Act was “super aggressive” toward European companies, one participant told Reuters. The participant requested anonymity to discuss a private part of the meeting.
Mr Macron’s office declined to confirm the comment, which was first reported by Agence France-Presse.
European leaders have complained about the legislative package, signed by Mr Biden in August, that offers massive subsidies for US-made products, which they say unfairly disadvantages non-American companies and deals a serious blow to their economies as Europe deals with the fallout from Russia’s February invasion of Ukraine.
Namita Singh1 December 2022 10:15
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Climate, China on agenda during Macron’s US visit
French president Emmanuel Macron was treated to lunch at the Library of Congress, where he addressed US lawmakers from both sides of the aisle on climate change and biodiversity.
In his introductory remarks, Mr Macron said France and the United States should join forces to reform the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank so their funds can be directed to countries hit by climate change.
After Republicans won the House of Representatives in this month’s mid-term elections, Mr Macron’s efforts to reach out to both parties was a recognition he must look beyond Joe Biden, a Democrat, to advance cooperation with Washington, French officials say.
French president Emmanuel Macron holds a baguette as he speaks during a reception honoring the French community in the US, at the French Embassy in Washington, DC, on 30 November 2022
(AFP via Getty Images)
Mr Macron’s visit came as Nato ministers met in Bucharest and pledged more aid to Ukraine to help against Russia’s attacks on energy infrastructure as winter bites.
French president Emmanuel Macron holds a baguette as he speaks during a reception honoring the French community in the US, at the French Embassy in Washington, DC, on 30 November 2022
(AFP via Getty Images)
The alliance, of which the United States and France are founding members, was also discussing how to address challenges posed by China’s military buildup and its cooperation with Russia, US secretary of state Antony Blinken said. Mr Macron has said in the past that China should not be a focus for Nato.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters on a briefing call that China would top the agenda during Mr Macron’s visit “because of the global influence that China is trying to exude and demonstrate and because of the security challenges that China continues to pose, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.”
Namita Singh1 December 2022 09:30
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Macron warns of ‘rogue states’ in space
French president Emmanuel Macron visited Nasa headquarters yesterday and said US-French cooperation was important to counter the presence of “rogue states” in space as he began a visit to the United States to discuss issues ranging from the war in Ukraine to China with American leaders.
Mr Macron arrived in Washington on Tuesday for his second state visit to the US since taking office in 2017.
France’s president Emmanuel Macron meets with vice president Kamala Harris at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) headquarters, to highlight space cooperation between France and the US, in Washington, DC, 30 November 2022
(EPA)
France’s president Emmanuel Macron meets with vice president Kamala Harris at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) headquarters, to highlight space cooperation between France and the US, in Washington, DC, 30 November 2022
(AFP via Getty Images)
His first public engagement was at the headquarters of the US space agency alongside vice president Kamala Harris, who said the two would discuss collaboration in space to tackle climate change and on security.
Mr Macron said space represents “a new place of conflict” and that it was important for France and the United States to work together on setting rules and norms because they share a commitment to science as well as democratic values.
“We have crazy players in space as well, and we have rogue states there and we have new hybrid attacks,” he said, speaking in English.
Ms Harris and Mr Macron announced new US-French cooperation on space during a meeting in Paris a year ago.
Namita Singh1 December 2022 08:45
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Space represent the ‘new place of conflict’, says Macron
French president Emmanuel Macron earlier yesterday visited Nasa headquarters with vice president Kamala Harris and said US-French cooperation was important to counter the risk of conflict in space. The two announced new US-French cooperation on space during a meeting in Paris a year ago.
Mr Macron said space represents “a new place of conflict” and that it was important for France and the United States to work together on setting rules and norms because they share a commitment to science as well as democratic values.
French president Emmanuel Macron, left, and Vice President Kamala Harris speak during a meeting to highlight space cooperation between the two countries, at Nasa headquarters in Washington, Wednesday, 30 November 2022
(AP)
French president Emmanuel Macron, left, and vice president Kamala Harris speak during a meeting to highlight space cooperation between the two countries, at Nasa headquarters in Washington, Wednesday, 30 November 2022
(AP)
“We have crazy players in space as well, and we have rogue states there and we have new hybrid attacks,” Mr Macron said, speaking in English.
France joined the United States and several other nations in ruling out destructive, direct-ascent anti-satellite missile testing after Russia struck one of its own satellites in orbit last year, creating debris and drawing scorn from the United States and its allies.
Namita Singh1 December 2022 08:00
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Macron receives support from Germany over concerns about US climate law
The French president has received from Germany on his stance towards the US’s Inflation Reduction Act, as Emmanuel Macron called the act’s subsidies harmful to French companies and others in Europe.
The European Union has expressed concern that tax credits in the climate law, including those aimed at encouraging Americans to buy electric vehicles, would discriminate against European producers and break World Trade Organisation rules.
Germany’s economy minister Robert Habeck reiterated on Wednesday that he believes parts of the law aren’t compatible with the WTO.
France’s president Emmanuel Macron meets with US vice president at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) headquarters, to highlight space cooperation between France and the US, in Washington, DC, 30 November 2022
(EPA)
“I believe that this view is largely shared by those countries that are committed to a multilateral trading order,” he told reporters in Berlin.
“The Americans know that we see it that way and the European Commission will have told them this too.”
French president Emmanuel Macron (L) chats with US president Joe Biden as they leave Fiola Mare restaurant after a private dinner in Washington, DC, on 30 November 2022
(AFP via Getty Images)
Mr Macron had planned to make his case to US officials against the subsidies, underscoring that it’s crucial for “Europe, like the US, to come out stronger… not weaker” as the world emerges from the tumult of the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to a senior French government official.
Biden administration officials have countered that the legislation goes a long way in helping the US to meet global goals to curb climate change. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre yesterday made the case that the legislation will also provide new opportunities for French companies and others in Europe.
Namita Singh1 December 2022 07:15
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Biden hosts Macron amid friction over US climate law
President Joe Biden is set to honour Emmanuel Macron with the first state dinner of his presidency tonight.
First, the two leaders will sit down in the Oval Office for morning talks that officials from both sides said were expected to largely centre on the leaders’ efforts to stay united in their response to Russia’s war in Ukraine and to coordinate their approach to an increasingly assertive China.
But ahead of today’s meeting, Mr Macron made clear that he and other European leaders remain deeply concerned about the incentives in a sweeping new climate-related law that favour American-made climate technology, including electric vehicles.
Read the details in this report:
Namita Singh1 December 2022 07:05