White House’s grand reception for Macron is not even a band-aid
US President Joe Biden met with French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House on Thursday local time. The reception was a magnificent one: The state dinner consisted of Maine lobsters, Oregon blue cheese, and military honor guards wearing 18thcentury uniforms. All this had a slightly unreal feeling: It was a strong contrast with the rift between the US and France on various issues and the criticism of the US Macron made before his trip. And from the French public reaction, it is clear that France wants more than just this “spectacular event.”
Just over a year ago, France was badly betrayed by the US due to the AUKUS. Before Paris had even recovered from the shock and anger, Washington struck again: Biden signed the Chip Act and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law. Although they nominally target China, many countries, including France, feel threatened by it. Macron described the IRA as “super aggressive” toward European companies.
In other words, a few hugs and smiles from the White House are just a thin piece of paper over deep cracks and wounds; they are not even a band-aid. At Macron’s insistence, Biden said he was willing to make some changes for US allies regarding the IRA. He said that it is “a matter to be worked out.” But everyone knows that phrase is nothing more than a perfunctory delaying tactic.
This is a matter of principle. It is neither a question of whether France or the EU is easily coaxed, nor should it be a private exchange of interests between the US and France or the EU. France and the EU have a responsibility to stand up against, protest, and boycott US behaviors, which flagrantly violates the rules of the WTO, not just because their own interests are harmed. The fair rules of world trade cannot be broken, and they need to be jointly upheld by all.
These two events have not only brought unpleasant memories to France and the EU, but also reshaped their external perceptions. Washington hopes that Europe will wholeheartedly act as the plasticine that meets the needs of the US national interests. But Europe has benefited from multilateralism and is a staunch supporter of multilateralism. It does not want to be completely tied to the tracks of the US’ “new Cold War.” The self-awareness shown from time to time in Europe, especially in France and Germany, makes the dominating and pragmatic US feel uncomfortable, so it often bypasses Europe to find more obedient partners, which then makes Europe feel abandoned and oppressed.
The transatlantic relationship is currently in a critical historical period. The steel frame of the bridge supporting it has been severely loosened. The US has neither the will nor the ability to repair it. Washington’s current approach is to bypass some of Europe’s core concerns, use the so-called “consensus” to lure Europe, then frighten it with some “risks,” such as the “challenge” to the common values of the US and Europe, geopolitical competitions and dependence on the industrial chain.
We have no idea when and to what extent Europe will be taken hostage by the low-cost “cooperation” with the US, but it is certain that Europe’s compromise on this “consensus” cannot be exchanged for true friendship with the US. It is not like the blue cheese at the White House state dinner, which can be shared happily. It is more like a bowl of ecstasy soup made specifically for Europe by Washington.