Biden to host Macron at state dinner to discuss Iran, China, Africa

• 

French leader Emmanuel Macron is expected to visit the White House on Wednesday for the state dinner and a talk with US President and host Joe Biden, in a mark of tying more close-knit relations between the latter and what spokesperson for the National Security Council John Kirby called the US' "oldest ally". 

The first part of his visit will take off at NASA Headquarters with Vice President Kamala Harris, followed by a welcome ceremony for him and his wife Brigitte Macron by Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden. Then, Macron and Biden will conduct bilateral meetings before concluding with the state dinner Thursday night. 

France in June signed the Artemis Accords, which advocated for NASA’s plans to return humans to the moon by 2024 and to launch a human mission to Mars. At the same time and same month, the US and France cooperated on an initiative to adapt to climate change, called the Space for Climate Observatory.

Kirby stated in light of the updates, “This is an opportunity to highlight a foundational component of this administration's approach to foreign policy and that's through alliances,” adding, “France is a vital global partner and, of course, [the] United States’ oldest ally.”

“You can expect to see on display both our long shared history as allies as well as our deep partnership in taking on the most urgent global challenges of today and tomorrow,” Kirby said, after he insisted France be hosted at the dinner as a show of evidence regarding the fortification of alliances.

As tensions rose after the US announced its intent to sell nuclear submarines to Australia as part of a deal, France not only recalled its Ambassador to Washington but the presidents met in Rome for the G20 summit, where Biden attempted to put a bandaid on the wound by acknowledging his administration's "clumsiness" in handling the issue.

Ever since, Biden and Macron have found a common ground by condemning the war in Ukraine and imposing illegal sanctions against Russia. 

Straightening out priorities

On the mutual agenda for Thursday's meeting, Iran’s nuclear deal ranks among the most pressing, alongside China's presence in the Indo-Pacific and the insecurity and turmoil in Africa’s Sahel region.

The GOP may not see this state dinner in a positive light, as incoming Speaker Kevin McCarthy rejected the idea of sending a “blank check” for Ukraine, after a warning by Republicans to the Biden administration of impending audits as they take over the House in January. 

“If you look at what’s going on in Ukraine, look at what’s going on in the Indo Pacific and the tensions with China, France is really at the center of all those things,” Kirby said, as he continued, “And so the president felt that this was exactly the right and the most appropriate country to start with for state visits.”

Biden and Macron have differed on the matter of aiding Ukraine to restore peace talks with Russia, which Biden insisted is a ball that is in Ukraine's court.

Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act has also caused a slight drift between the US and Europe, as it encourages consumers to buy electric vehicles manufactured and made in the US. Macron expressed earlier this month that this could cause an imbalance in the “level playing field” on trade with the EU, calling the Act “unfriendly".

On a separate note, part of Macron's agenda for the visit involves heading to the state of New Orleans on Friday, where according to French officials, he intends to expand French language education in US schools.