COLLIN LONG, SILY CORBETT and AAMER MADHANI (Related Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Presidents Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron vowed to keep up a united entrance in opposition to Russia on Thursday amid rising considerations over waning help for Ukraine’s battle effort within the US and Europe. Biden has additionally signaled that he might wish to change these features of his local weather laws which have raised considerations amongst France and different European allies.
On Thursday night time, Biden honored Macron with a grand state dinner — the primary of a COVID-19-shadowed U.S. presidential time period for a international chief. However persevering with Biden’s upbeat feedback might not go as easily as this weird affair. Republicans who’re about to take management of the Home of Representatives have proven much less willingness than Biden to spend billions on Ukraine, and Democratic lawmakers mentioned Thursday they aren’t going to return to local weather laws.
In actual fact, regardless of all of the optimistic statements, Macron’s go to to Washington is being hampered by his criticism of Biden’s inflation-reducing invoice and the challenges each leaders face amid rising prices of sustaining an unstoppable circulate of army and financial help to Kyiv. Russian invasion.
Regardless of their variations, Biden and Macron had been eager to emphasise that the US-French alliance stays sturdy and that the West should firmly oppose Russian President Vladimir Putin’s battle in Ukraine.
“At this time we reaffirm that, as I mentioned, we are going to stand collectively in opposition to this brutality,” Biden mentioned. “Putin thinks he can break the need of all who oppose his imperial ambitions by attacking Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, chopping off Europe’s vitality provide to drive up costs, and exacerbating the meals disaster. It harms very weak individuals not solely in Ukraine, however everywhere in the world, and it’ll not work.”
Each leaders paid tribute to the longstanding alliance of their nations at an open-air welcoming ceremony. However they acknowledged robust instances lie forward as Western unity exhibits some fatigue from 9 months of battle in Ukraine.
In Washington, Republicans are set to take management of the Home of Representatives, the place GOP chief Kevin McCarthy has mentioned his occasion’s lawmakers won’t problem carte blanche to Ukraine. Throughout the Atlantic, Macron’s efforts to maintain Europe united can be examined by the rising prices of supporting Ukraine within the battle, as Europe grapples with rising vitality costs that threaten to derail the post-pandemic financial restoration.
Macron burdened that the issue has ramifications far past the borders of Ukraine.
“What’s at stake in Ukraine is not only very far-off, in a small nation someplace in Europe,” he mentioned. “However it’s about our values. And about our rules.
“Our two peoples are sisters within the combat for freedom,” he mentioned.
Biden indicated he was keen to speak to Putin if the Russian chief confirmed that he was critical about ending the invasion. However the US president, as at all times, conditioned such negotiations with the help of NATO allies.
“I am keen to speak to Mr. Putin if he is actually considering him considering he is on the lookout for a approach to finish the battle,” Biden mentioned. “He hasn’t achieved it but.
Along with speaking about Ukraine – one thing that White Home officers mentioned was excessive on the agenda – the 2 leaders mentioned Macron’s and different leaders’ considerations concerning the lately handed clear vitality legislation.
Macron has made it clear that he and different European leaders oppose stimulus within the Inflation Discount Act that favors US-made local weather know-how, together with electrical automobiles.
Biden acknowledged “failures” within the laws however mentioned “we will amend” to please allies.
“The USA doesn’t apologize. And I make no apologies as I wrote this for the legislation we’re speaking about,” Biden added concerning the legislation.
Nevertheless, Macron mentioned that whereas the Biden administration’s efforts to curb local weather change are to be welcomed, the subsidies could be an enormous hurdle for European firms.
“We wish to succeed collectively, not in opposition to one another,” Macron added. He mentioned the US and France are “re-synchronizing” their clear vitality efforts to eradicate the “domino impact” that undermines clear vitality initiatives in Europe.
On Capitol Hill, regardless of Biden’s discuss of potential adjustments to the legislation, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, one of many principal sponsors of the invoice, mentioned: “Congress handed laws designed to revitalize the American electrical automobile business, create well-paying jobs in America. and on the identical time combat local weather change. I’ve no intention of opening it once more.”
The European Union additionally expressed concern that the tax breaks within the legislation would discriminate in opposition to European producers and violate World Commerce Group guidelines.
Leaders and aides met for about three hours after taking part in a proper ceremony with tons of of individuals gathered on the South Garden on a cool, sunny morning. There was a 21-gun salute and a parade of troops, whereas porters handed out small French and American flags to the friends.
Each Biden and Macron, of their public feedback, sought to maintain consideration on the scenario in Ukraine.
The state go to ought to give Macron a diplomatic increase that he can use in Europe. His candid feedback assist him reveal that he’s defending French employees, whilst he maintains a detailed relationship with Biden. The second additionally helps Macron polish his picture because the European Union’s most seen and vocal chief at a time when Europe is more and more frightened that its economic system can be indelibly weakened by the battle in Ukraine and its related vitality and inflationary crises.
To that finish, Biden praised Macron as “not solely the chief of France” and for being “very outspoken and really highly effective in Europe.” In his public feedback, Macron has repeatedly referred to the US president as “pricey Joe.”
Nevertheless, Macron’s rhetoric has often irritated US and Ukrainian officers, urging Ukraine and Russia to satisfy on the negotiating desk. White Home officers have publicly acknowledged that it’s as much as the Ukrainian management to resolve when it’s acceptable to have interaction the Russians, and burdened that the battle might finish instantly if Putin stops his invasion.
Macron additionally raised his eyebrows earlier this month in a speech on the Bangkok summit when he referred to as the US and China “two large elephants” about to create “an enormous drawback for the remainder of the jungle.” His go to to Washington got here amid each the US and France holding a detailed eye on China after protests erupted in a number of mainland Chinese language cities and Hong Kong over Beijing’s “COVID zero” technique.
The state go to marked the return of the White Home custom of honoring shut international allies, which dates again to the presidency of Ulysses S. Grant.
Macron and his spouse Bridget arrived within the U.S. with items rigorously chosen for his or her American hosts, together with a vinyl document and a CD of the unique soundtrack to the 1966 movie Man and Girl, which the Bidens attended on their first date, in line with Palace.
Among the many items Biden and First Girl Jill Biden gave to the Macrons was a mirror framed by a fallen tree from the White Home grounds, made by an American furnishings maker.
Vice President Kamala Harris invited Macron to lunch on the State Division earlier than a night state dinner in an enormous marquee constructed on the South Garden of the White Home.
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Corbet reported from Paris. Related Press contributors Frank Jordans in Berlin and Chris Megerian, Matthew Daly, and Zeke Miller contributed to this report.
