French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the economic policy of the United States at a working lunch with American lawmakers in Washington on November 30, the French news agency AFP reports.
Local time Wednesday night in Washington, on the first day of a state visit to celebrate friendship between France and the United States, Macron deplored Joe Biden's "super-aggressive" economic measures the president has taken to boost American industry.
Regarding the package of anti-inflation laws (IRA) signed by Joe Biden in August, Macron said: "these huge subsidies are super-aggressive for our companies".
With these words, the French president condemned the IRA package at the meeting with the American parliamentarians, and then added during the luncheon discussion dedicated to climate change: "Imagine yourself in my situation! This may solve their own problem, but it only makes mine worse!”
The "pharaoh program"
The President of the French Republic warned: this "pharaoh-like", gigantic program could destroy many jobs in Europe, if it is not accompanied by better transatlantic negotiations.
"No one approached me when it came to the IRA," Macron complained, adding:
and would expect to be respected as a good friend.
France views with concern - as AFP puts it - "the shameless economic patriotism of the American democratic president" , which could be characterized by the slogan "Made in USA".
In particular, Joe Biden wants to boost the electric vehicle sector in order to increase the employment of those working in the industry, and also to compete with China.
Although he does not believe for a moment that the United States will change his mind about the law that the White House considers crucial, Macron said, he would still consider better "synchronization" between the United States and Europe to be important.
In Washington, however, they believe that the package of anti-inflation laws will be a "win-win" project that can also stimulate the European economy.
It is not the first time Macron has spoken of unfriendliness
Macron would like the United States and Norway to supply gas to Europe at a cheaper price, and he believes that it would be worthwhile to open up the continent's countries to Asia in the energy market. At a conference in Paris in October, Macron explained that the states sanctioning Russia are "freedom fighters", but they are divided into consumers and producers when it comes to fossil energy carriers.
"In the spirit of deep friendship, we are sending a message to the Americans and Norwegians: you are great, you supply us with energy carriers, but it will not be long before you offer this at four times the price of your own internal market. That's not what friendship means"
Macron stated.
The entire article at hirado.hu .
Cover photo: US President Joe Biden welcomes French President Emmanuel Macron in front of the White House in Washington on December 1, 2022. PHOTO: MTI/EPA/SHAWN THEW
