Macron heads to Washington to talk Tehran, Syria and trade with Trump
French President Emmanuel Macron flew into Washington yesterday on a three-day state visit expected to test his friendship with United States President Donald Trump, as the leaders tackle deep differences over Iran and other key issues.
In an interview on the eve of his departure, Mr Macron rehearsed the arguments he will present on trade, Syria and the nuclear deal with Tehran.
Mr Trump and First Lady Melania hosted Mr Macron and his wife Brigitte for a private dinner at Mount Vernon, home of the first US president, George Washington, last night, with meetings at the White House and a state dinner to follow today. Mr Macron will address Congress tomorrow.
Iran is set to top the agenda of the visit: Mr Trump has set a May 12 deadline for the Europeans to “fix” the 2015 deal that curbs Tehran’s nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief, threatening otherwise to walk away. Mr Macron will urge Mr Trump, on behalf of Europe, not to kill it.
“I don’t have any Plan B for nuclear – against Iran,” Mr Macron told a TV talk show, arguing that curbing Tehran’s missile programme and containing its regional influence could be accomplished in addition to the 2015 accord.
He also cited the shared goal of reining in Iran as he argued for a long-term US commitment in Syria – where Paris and Washington have co-operated in fighting ISIS and strikes on Syrian regime chemical weapons installations. “I think the US role is very important to play,” he said.
“Why? I will be very blunt. The day we will have finished this war against ISIS, if we leave, definitely and totally, even from a political point of view, we will leave the floor to the Iranian regime, Bashar Al Assad and these guys,” said Mr Macron.
On trade, he will reiterate Europe’s demand it be spared from punishing steel and aluminium tariffs, days before a temporary exemption is due to expire. “You don’t make trade war with your allies,” he said.
Mr Macron has brought an oak sapling from near Belleau Wood, where 2,000 US Marines died in 1918, in friendship.