Trump’s French connection
Leaders of US and France talk it out on divisive issues like Iran nuclear deal and global trade.
WASHINGTON: After a friendly dinner at a US landmark, US President Donald Trump and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron were to get down to business on divisive issues like the Iran nuclear accord and international trade.
They were to meet face to face for half an hour, and then again for an hour in a broader meeting with more aides – the climax of of Macron’s three-day state visit to Washington.
Before getting the full red carpet treatment at the White House on Monday – payback for wooing Trump with military parades and a dazzling Eiffel Tower dinner in Paris last July – Macron took an impromptu stroll to the Lincoln Memorial with his wife Brigitte.
Hailing the “very important” visit, Macron then rolled into the West Wing from Lafayette Square – named after the storied French general who fought in America’s war for independence – beneath dozens of fluttering French flags and before a full US military colour guard.
Waiting at the door, the US president smiled and held out his hand for Macron to shake, and the French leader kissed him on both cheeks.
Later, the first couples had dinner at Mount Vernon, the mansion that was the home of George Washington, the first US president.
They talked about the state of the US economy, Trump’s approval rating, the mid-term elections in November in the US, internet regulation and the fight against extremist terror, according to the French leader’s office.
Trump is deeply unpopular in France and Macron, like other
world leaders – from Japan’s Shinzo Abe to Britain’s Theresa May – is under growing pressure to show voters the benefits of his courtship with the 71-year-old Republican.
Looming over it all are two May deadlines that have the potential to wreck fragile relations.
Biting trade sanctions on European steel and aluminum will enter into force on May 1 unless Trump agrees to sign a waiver. If he refuses, there are fears of a fullfledged trade war.
Meanwhile, France and other
European nations are battling to save a complex nuclear deal with Iran, which Trump will scuttle if he refuses to waive sanctions against Teheran by a May 12 deadline.
Iran says it is ready to relaunch its nuclear programme – which the West suspects is designed to produce a bomb – if Trump kills the deal.
European officials say Trump’s demand to reopen the deal are impossible, and are scrambling to address his concerns on Teheran’s missile testing, inspections and the regime’s behaviour in the region.
There is growing frustration in European capitals that Trump’s stubbornness over the Obama-era agreement is diverting attention away from other pressing issues.
In an interview broadcast on the eve of his arrival, Macron went on Trump’s favourite television channel, Fox News, to make his pitch.
“If you make war against everybody,” Macron said, “trade war against Europe, war in Syria, war against Iran – come on – it doesn’t work. You need allies. We are the allies.” — AFP