Biden, Macron reaffirm their strong partnership, support for Ukraine

U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron stressed the importance of the nations’ alliance amid uncertainty in Europe over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — whilst France groused about some key elements of Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.

The 2 leaders spoke to reporters in a joint press conference on the White House after meeting for greater than two hours. Macron is visiting the U.S. as a guest of Biden for the primary state dinner of his presidency. Ukraine was top of mind for the leaders, who each apprehensive about Russia’s bombing of civilian infrastructure as winter approaches.

“I believe it’s absolutely critical, what Emmanuel said: We must support the Ukrainian people,” Biden said. “The concept Putin is ever going to defeat Ukraine is beyond comprehension.”

Macron said he was grateful to have the US as a reliable ally once more, stating “we have been resisting for a few years and now we have been able to interact with you.” He said he was thankful to have the U.S. as a partner in backing Ukraine.

“Having the U.S. strongly support the Ukrainians at the moment may be very necessary not only for the Ukrainians, but for the Europeans, who we’re. This is the reason we do thanks for the solidarity, for the soundness of our world today,” Macron said. “Because if we consider that we will abandon the country and abandon the complete respect of its principles, it means there is no such thing as a possible stability on this world.”

Despite the stated strong friendship between the 2 leaders, Macron ahead of the bilateral meeting had expressed frustration over how Biden’s signature legislative achievement, the Inflation Reduction Act, would affect Europe’s economy.

Macron criticized the law at a luncheon on Wednesday and in a speech on the French Embassy. European leaders, Macron said, worry the vast tax incentives would drive corporations from Europe to the U.S. to create climate-friendly technology comparable to electric vehicles.

Within the press briefing following their meeting, Macron said he felt his questions on the laws had been sufficiently answered and he would return to Europe with a transparent understanding of what steps needed to be taken.

“We usually are not here simply, really, to ask for proof of affection. We’re here, we got here to agree on a technique and make clear what was vital to make clear and we did,” Macron said. “I’m going home confident in addition to lucid as to what must be done on the European side, which is an excellent thing.”

Macron said even when it was not Biden’s intention to harm allies with the laws, the fact is it affects France. He said the 2 countries needed to “resynchronize” their policies to realize the shared climate goals.

“We’ll work on the technical elements to ensure that there is no such thing as a domino effect on the continued projects in Europe,” Macron said. “We wish to succeed together, not one against the opposite.”

Biden said the 2 discussed “practical steps to coordinate and align our approaches” so the availability chain, manufacturing and innovation is strengthened “on either side of the Atlantic.” He added that each leaders asked their teams to follow up on this.

Asked how he felt about his discussion with Macron and agreement on the tax credits, Biden simply said “I’m confident. That is my answer.”

This is not the primary time policies by the Biden administration have upset the French government. France briefly pulled its ambassador to the U.S. last fall after Biden negotiated a submarine cope with Australia without informing France. On the time, Biden called the diplomatic mishap “clumsy” and the leaders agreed to repair their relationship.