FRENCH DISS
Macron: We’re pals but tone down the jingoism
DESPITE A WEEK of fraternity and awkward handshakes, French President Emmanuel Macron made his differences with President Trump clear during a rousing rendezvous with a joint meeting of Congress.
Macron drew on the shared history and “special bond” of U.S.-French relations as he opened his address on Wednesday, but quickly laid bare his thoughts on a host of topics, including trade, climate change, nationalism and the Iranian nuclear deal.
He even poked fun at his chumminess with Trump as he told of a meeting between Ben Franklin and the French philosopher Voltaire, in which the pair were “kissing each other’s cheeks.”
“It can remind you of something,” he added to applause.
But in a striking knock on Trump’s nationalistic leanings, Macron urged the U.S. to reject isolationism and stay true to global ideals of cooperation in the face of terrorism and other challenges, saying countries can still retain their own identities.
“I do not share the fascination for new strong powers, the abandonment of freedom and the illusion of nationalism,” Macron said.
“We can choose isolationism, withdrawal and nationalism — this is an option. It can be tempting to us as a temporary remedy for our fears. But closing the door to the world, will not stop the evolution of the world,” he added.
The 40-year-old French leader also called on the U.S. to remain world leaders in the face of rising tides of revolt against democracy and the ongoing boldness of authoritarian leaders.
“The United States and the American people are an essential part of our confidence in the future, in democracy, in what women and men can accomplish in this world when we are driven by high ideals and an unbreakable trust in humanity and progress,” he said.
Macron, without naming Trump or the Paris climate accord, implored the U.S. to do more to combat climate change and to be more responsible regarding environmental matters.
“Let us work together in order to make our planet great again,” he said, riffing on Trump’s campaign slogan.
He optimistically predicted a reconciliation on the topic.
“I’m sure, one day, the United States will come back and join the Paris agreement,” Macron said. “And I’m sure we can work together to fulfill with you the ambitions of the global compact on the environment.”
The Iran nuclear deal was also front and center in Macron’s address.
“We should not abandon (the Iran nuclear deal) without having something . . . more substantial instead,” he said.
Trump has threatened to withdraw from the Obama-era agreement that limits Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
Macron’s plea stood in stark contrast to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s 2015 address before the joint chamber of Congress.
Netanyahu warned House and Senate members that the deal would “inevitably” lead to war.
“We must now choose between two paths: One path leads to a deal that curtails (the program) for a while. The other leads to a nuclear-armed Iran … that inevitably leads to war,” Netanyahu said then.