Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Thursday, Jan 08, 2026

Biden's State Visit to France: A Showcase of US-French Alliance Amidst Global Challenges and Trade Tensions

Biden's State Visit to France: A Showcase of US-French Alliance Amidst Global Challenges and Trade Tensions

President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron held a state visit to strengthen their alliance and collaborate on global security issues, including Ukraine's fight against Russia's invasion.
They marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day and met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to emphasize their support.

However, their partnership has been strained due to differing paces of aid to Ukraine, with the US facing delays in Congress.

During his state visit to France, President Joe Biden began with a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe, which included a wreath-laying at the tomb of the unknown soldier and a military parade along the Champs-Élysées.

Official meetings and public statements were held at the Élysée Palace, where the two leaders prioritized discussions about the war in Ukraine.

However, the strong alliance between the US and France, which dates back to the Revolutionary War and was reinforced during the Normandy landings 80 years ago, was the main focus of the visit.

Biden expressed his deep respect for France, calling it America's first and best friend.

French President Emmanuel Macron praised President Joe Biden as a loyal and respectful partner, subtly criticizing former President Donald Trump's "America First" foreign policy that left European leaders uncertain about US commitment.

Macron and Biden announced a roadmap to strengthen the US-French relationship, emphasizing the importance of a whole, free, and peaceful Europe.

Macron had previously hosted Trump for Bastille Day in 2017, but their relationship soured after that.

French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Joe Biden had a meeting where they discussed their differing views on sending trainers to Ukraine to support its defense against Russia's invasion.

Despite their disagreements, Macron expressed unity with Biden over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and praised his leadership.

They also discussed a proposed $50 billion "solidarity fund" for Ukraine, backed by sanctioned Russian assets, which they hope to establish at the upcoming G7 leaders' meeting.

The leaders also celebrated the rescue of four hostages by Israeli forces from Hamas and called for the release of all hostages and a ceasefire in the region.

Macron expressed concern over the lack of humanitarian aid getting into Gaza and urged the Israeli government to do more.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed support for a proposed ceasefire in the Middle East, backed by President Joe Biden, which aims to increase humanitarian aid and release hostages.

The US is waiting for Hamas' response to the potential deal.

Macron criticized US trade practices, specifically the Inflation Reduction Act, which he believes violates global trade rules by favoring American-made climate technology.

Macron accused both the US and China of disregarding global trade rules, with the US implementing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

Biden suggested coordination between the US and Europe during their meeting at the Elysee Palace.

In December 2022, President Biden welcomed French President Macron to the White House for his first state visit since Biden's presidency.

However, as Macron's trip comes to an end, the far-right parties are predicted to make significant gains in the European Parliament elections, while Macron's pro-European Union movement is reportedly struggling.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Mohammed bin Salman’s Global Standing: Strategic Partner in Transition Amid Debate Over His Role
Saudi Arabia Opens Property Market to Foreign Buyers in Landmark Reform
The U.S. State Department’s account in Persian: “President Trump is a man of action. If you didn’t know it until now, now you do—do not play games with President Trump.”
CNN’s Ranking of Israel’s Women’s Rights Sparks Debate After Misleading Global Index Comparison
Saudi Arabia’s Shifting Regional Alignment Raises Strategic Concerns in Jerusalem
OPEC+ Holds Oil Output Steady Amid Member Tensions and Market Oversupply
Iranian Protests Intensify as Another Revolutionary Guard Member Is Killed and Khamenei Blames the West
President Trump Says United States Will Administer Venezuela Until a Secure Leadership Transition
Delta Force Identified as Unit Behind U.S. Operation That Captured Venezuela’s President
Trump Announces U.S. Large-Scale Strike on Venezuela, Declares President Maduro and Wife Captured
Saudi-UAE Rift Adds Complexity to Middle East Diplomacy as Trump Signals Firm Leadership
OPEC+ to Keep Oil Output Policy Unchanged Despite Saudi-UAE Tensions Over Yemen
Saudi Arabia and UAE at Odds in Yemen Conflict as Southern Offensive Deepens Gulf Rift
Abu Dhabi ‘Capital of Capital’: How Abu Dhabi Rose as a Sovereign Wealth Power
Diamonds Are Powering a New Quantum Revolution
Trump Threatens Strikes Against Iran if Nuclear Programme Is Restarted
Why Saudi Arabia May Recalibrate Its US Spending Commitments Amid Rising China–America Rivalry
Riyadh Air’s First Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Completes Initial Test Flight, Advancing Saudi Carrier’s Launch
Saudi Arabia’s 2025: A Pivotal Year of Global Engagement and Domestic Transformation
Saudi Arabia to Introduce Sugar-Content Based Tax on Sweetened Drinks from January 2026
Saudi Hotels Prepare for New Hospitality Roles as Alcohol Curbs Ease
Global Airports Forum Highlights Saudi Arabia’s Emergence as a Leading Aviation Powerhouse
Saudi Arabia Weighs Strategic Choice on Iran Amid Regional Turbulence
Not Only F-35s: Saudi Arabia to Gain Access to the World’s Most Sensitive Technology
Saudi Arabia Condemns Sydney Bondi Beach Shooting and Expresses Solidarity with Australia
Washington Watches Beijing–Riyadh Rapprochement as Strategic Balance Shifts
Saudi Arabia Urges Stronger Partnerships and Efficient Aid Delivery at OCHA Donor Support Meeting in Geneva
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Drives Measurable Lift in Global Reputation and Influence
Alcohol Policies Vary Widely Across Muslim-Majority Countries, With Many Permitting Consumption Under Specific Rules
Saudi Arabia Clarifies No Formal Ban on Photography at Holy Mosques for Hajj 2026
Libya and Saudi Arabia Sign Strategic MoU to Boost Telecommunications Cooperation
Elon Musk’s xAI Announces Landmark 500-Megawatt AI Data Center in Saudi Arabia
Israel Moves to Safeguard Regional Stability as F-35 Sales Debate Intensifies
Cardi B to Make Historic Saudi Arabia Debut at Soundstorm 2025 Festival
U.S. Democratic Lawmakers Raise National Security and Influence Concerns Over Paramount’s Hostile Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery
Hackers Are Hiding Malware in Open-Source Tools and IDE Extensions
Traveling to USA? Homeland Security moving toward requiring foreign travelers to share social media history
Wall Street Analysts Clash With Riyadh Over Saudi Arabia’s Deficit Outlook
Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Cement $1 Trillion-Plus Deals in High-Profile White House Summit
Saudi Arabia Opens Alcohol Sales to Wealthy Non-Muslim Residents Under New Access Rules
U.S.–Saudi Rethink Deepens — Washington Moves Ahead Without Linking Riyadh to Israel Normalisation
Saudi Arabia and Israel Deprioritise Diplomacy: Normalisation No Longer a Middle-East Priority
Saudi Arabia Positions Itself as the Backbone of the Global AI Era
As Trump Deepens Ties with Saudi Arabia, Push for Israel Normalization Takes a Back Seat
Thai Food Village Debuts at Saudi Feast Food Festival 2025 Under Thai Commerce Minister Suphajee’s Lead
Saudi Arabia Sharpens Its Strategic Vision as Economic Transformation Enters New Phase
Saudi Arabia Projects $44 Billion Budget Shortfall in 2026 as Economy Rebalances
OPEC+ Unveils New Capacity-Based System to Anchor Future Oil Output Levels
Will Saudi Arabia End Up Bankrolling Israel’s Post-Ceasefire Order in Lebanon?
Saudi Arabia’s SAMAI Initiative Surpasses One-Million-Citizen Milestone in National AI Upskilling Drive
×