Friends or not, France's Macron challenges Trump in Congress speech

[webfact]

Friends or not, France's Macron challenges Trump in Congress speech

By Patricia Zengerle and Marine Pennetier

 

 French President Emmanuel Macron gestures after addressing a joint meeting of Congress in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., April 25, 2018. REUTERS/Brian Snyder 

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A day after flaunting his friendship with Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron forcefully challenged many of the U.S. president's policies on Wednesday, urging the United States to engage more with the world, step up the fight against climate change and stay in the Iran nuclear pact for now.

 

Capping a three-day visit, Macron repeatedly criticized the president's isolationist principles in a speech to a joint meeting of Congress, an honour given to a small number of visiting foreign leaders.

 

Macron said U.S. involvement in the global community was vital and Trump's opposition to the Paris climate accord and international trade agreements was short-sighted.

 

The French president even took a dig at Trump's famous 2016 campaign slogan, calling for the United States to help "make our planet great again."

 

Macron has developed a strong relationship with Trump at a time when many European leaders are keeping a distance. During the visit, they repeatedly shook and grabbed hands, exchanged kisses on the cheek, and slapped each other's backs while praising their friendship.

 

But before Congress, Macron suggested he wanted more than just good optics.

 

Without mentioning Trump by name, he challenged the Republican president's protectionist and nationalist impulses and said modern economic and security challenges must be a shared global responsibility that is "based on a new breed of multilateralism."

 

"The United States is the one who invented this multilateralism. You are the one now who has to help preserve and reinvent it," Macron said.

 

IRAN DEAL

He said an international nuclear deal with Iran, which Trump has harshly criticized, was not perfect but must remain in place until a replacement is forged.

 

"It is true to say that this agreement may not address all concerns and very important concerns," Macron said. "But we should not abandon it without having something more substantial instead. That's my position."

 

Trump has often vowed to pull the United States out of the 2015 nuclear pact between Iran and six major powers. He will decide by May 12 whether to restore U.S. economic sanctions on Tehran, which could be a first step to ending the deal.

 

Macron, a centrist, also said he was confident the United States would eventually come back into the Paris climate accord aimed at combating global warming.

 

"Let us work together in order to make our planet great again," he said. "We are killing our planet - let us face it, there is no Planet B."

 

Macron's speech drew frequent cheers and applause, particularly from Democratic lawmakers when he took aim at Trump's views. Afterward, Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer said Macron's call for global engagement was timely.

 

"I hope that everyone at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue takes President Macron’s words to heart," Schumer said on the Senate floor.

 

Trump had tweeted earlier on Wednesday that he was, "Looking forward to watching President Macron of France address a Joint Session of Congress today. This is a great honour and seldom allowed to be done...he will be GREAT!"

 

There was no immediate reaction from the White House afterward to Macron's speech.

 

Macron's visit also included efforts to convince Trump to exempt Europe from steel tariffs and convince the United States to maintain its military presence in Syria. France joined the United States and Britain in launching air strikes this month in retaliation for a chemical weapons attack blamed on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

 

But the Iran deal was the centerpiece of this week's talks.

 

The two leaders pledged to seek stronger measures to contain Iran but Trump made no commitments to stay in the nuclear deal, negotiated by former President Barack Obama. Trump also threatened Tehran with retaliation if it restarted its nuclear programme.

 

Macron has sought a new approach that would see the United States and Europe agree to address any Iranian nuclear activity after 2025, tackle Iran's ballistic missile programme and seek a political solution to contain Iran in Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.

 

He said France remains committed to the bottom line goal of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

 

"Iran shall never possess any nuclear weapon. Not now not in five years, not in 10 years, never," he told lawmakers.

 

If Trump reaches an agreement on Iran with France and other European powers, Congress is expected to pass legislation to tweak it.

 

Lawmakers are widely expected, for example, to change the frequency with which Trump has to report to Congress that Iran is complying with the pact. They could also change some of the expiration dates in the agreement.

 

Macron is the eighth French president to address a joint meeting of Congress, and the first since Nicolas Sarkozy in 2007, House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan's office said. The last foreign leader to address a joint meeting was Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2016.

 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel faces difficult talks with Trump on Friday during a visit at a time when Washington and Berlin are at odds over a range of issues from trade to Iran.

 

(Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu, David Alexander and Susan Heavey; Writing by John Whitesides; Editing by Yara Bayoumy and Alistair Bell)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-04-26

[simple1]

Congratulations Macron, great leadership speech.

[Topdoc]

His English is pretty good but someone needs to tell him it is "fought" not "fart"

 

[stevenl]

19 minutes ago, Topdoc said:

His English is pretty good but someone needs to tell him it is "fought" not "fart"

 

Sad if that is what you picked up from this.

[Expatthailover]

Trump will retaliate in his usual way.

Midnight tweet fillowed by a letter from his lawyer.

Not man enough to confront him face on.

Typical draft dodger

[sukhumvitneon]

Of all the foreign leaders I feel Trump and Macron have the best relationship.  Despite its flaws (foreign countries shouldn't dictate whether another country has access to nuclear power or not), the Iran deal should be maintained.  At the same time, US needs to pull out of Syria.

Edited April 26, 2018 by sukhumvitneon

[Baerboxer]

Macron is working hard to try and improve France's standing in the world order. Or at least create that appearance. He has to deliver on that, the French electorates perceived image of their own county and it's importance. By doing so he hopes to keep enough support to take on the Unions, public sector and left and win.

 

A gamble that may or may not come off. We shall see.

[Andaman Al]

I heard Macron wasn't going to say much at all until Trump said he was picking dandruff off his shoulder. In feudal Japan you would loose your limbs and head in seconds if you so much as pointed to a mosquito on a samurai's clothing. I think Macron just took Trumps limbs and head in front of congress and the American people - and judging by Trump's subsequent silence his tongue and index fingers as well.

 

It was quite refreshing to hear a proper leader talking inside the hallowed hall of congress again.

Edited April 26, 2018 by Andaman Al

[smotherb]

6 hours ago, stevenl said:

Sad if that is what you picked up from this.

Well, it was all of three words into the speech; more coverage than the average barsteward.

[Emster23]

So refreshing to hear something intelligent from a president to Congress.

[Expatthailover]

Bit of a change for the american people and politicians to have a proper politician/statesman addressing them. Hasnt happened for 18 months or so.

That he is from another country must be very galling

[MuntyC0re]

indeed great speech

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

After kissing Trump the day before, Macron finally came to his senses when he realized Trump left a bad taste in his mouth! 

 

But then again, previously, Stormy and the Russian hookers probably said the same thing...

 

[Enoon]

 

One of our fellow contributors, who is much prone to "sad"ness (and not much else) is looking especially so today.

 

Perhaps a difficult time in their life?

 

Could someone pop round and check that they're OK?

 

It would be awful if one of "our own" decided to go "flying" (as so many sad and lonely foreigners in Thailand do).

 

 

Edited April 26, 2018 by Enoon

[Gillyflower]

8 hours ago, Topdoc said:

His English is pretty good but someone needs to tell him it is "fought" not "fart"

 

Could you give a speech of 50 minutes to Congress in your own tongue let alone in a foreign language?  I thought he was excellent. No wonder I voted for him!!

[Thorgal]

So refreshing to hear something intelligent from a president to Congress.

Macron and his team are working with a PR & Communication company named Liegey Muller Pons. It’s the same PR company who also ‘helped’ US president Obama for many speeches in...Congress...


Sent from my iPad using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[HAKAPALITA]

Just now, Gillyflower said:

Could you give a speech of 50 minutes to Congress in your own tongue let alone in a foreign language?  I thought he was excellent. No wonder I voted for him!!

Perhaps he could take over from the French Idiot in Canada before he gives Canada away.

[goldenbrwn1]

2 minutes ago, Thorgal said:

 

Macron and his team are working with a PR & Communication company named Liegey Muller Pons. It’s the same PR company who also ‘helped’ US president Obama for many speeches in...Congress...


Sent from my iPad using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

I’m glad you just pointed that out before I did. You could almost  hear Obama himself through most of that speech and a speech is all it was. Trump is not the greatest speakers by a long shot , in fact he can become cringe worthy at times but he’s real and  a lot of times to the point.  Fluffy speeches with no substance is not Trumps style and I think he’s great for the US and World right now. Refreshing shall we say .   Macron is a smooth operator il give him that.

[Thorgal]

I’m glad you just pointed that out before I did. You could almost  hear Obama himself through most of that speech and a speech is all it was. Trump is not the greatest speakers by a long shot , in fact he can become cringe worthy at times but he’s real and  a lot of times to the point.  Fluffy speeches with no substance is not Trumps style and I think he’s great for the US and World right now. Refreshing shall we say .   Macron is a smooth operator il give him that.

There was a WW2 veteran in the public. All by coincidence with the speech of Macron, who bowed for him...


Sent from my iPad using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Topdoc]

8 hours ago, stevenl said:

Sad if that is what you picked up from this.

Perhaps Macron was refering to the 'fart' gesture from Trump earlier 

"We do have a very special" (then Trump turns his rear towards Macron) before saying "relationship" 

 

Don't get me wrong, I would really like to take these guys seriously but never in my life have I seen such absurdities performed by 'top' statesmen. 

 

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Here's an idea: How about an international trade --

 

The U.S. gives France the Liar-in-Chief, Melania and her clothes. And we (the U.S.) will take Macron as president instead.

 

I could go for that deal! 

[Andaman Al]

1 hour ago, goldenbrwn1 said:

I’m glad you just pointed that out before I did. You could almost  hear Obama himself through most of that speech and a speech is all it was. Trump is not the greatest speakers by a long shot , in fact he can become cringe worthy at times but he’s real and  a lot of times to the point.  Fluffy speeches with no substance is not Trumps style and I think he’s great for the US and World right now. Refreshing shall we say .   Macron is a smooth operator il give him that.

I think you have been taking too much of that Goldenbrown.

[simple1]

11 hours ago, Thorgal said:

 

Macron and his team are working with a PR & Communication company named Liegey Muller Pons. It’s the same PR company who also ‘helped’ US president Obama for many speeches in...Congress...


Sent from my iPad using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

Would it not be more accurate to say  Obama & Macron made use of the data mining techniques of Liegey Muller Pons for focused messaging.

[Thongkorn]

On 26/04/2018 at 8:28 AM, simple1 said:

Congratulations Macron, great leadership speech.

Until backs against the wall . Then there will be many linford Christie’s. In the wrong direction. 

[bristolboy]

23 hours ago, goldenbrwn1 said:

I’m glad you just pointed that out before I did. You could almost  hear Obama himself through most of that speech and a speech is all it was. Trump is not the greatest speakers by a long shot , in fact he can become cringe worthy at times but he’s real and  a lot of times to the point.  Fluffy speeches with no substance is not Trumps style and I think he’s great for the US and World right now. Refreshing shall we say .   Macron is a smooth operator il give him that.

I guess if lies that please you qualify as real.

[Opl]

On ‎26‎/‎04‎/‎2018 at 12:52 PM, goldenbrwn1 said:

I’m glad you just pointed that out before I did. You could almost  hear Obama himself through most of that speech and a speech is all it was. Trump is not the greatest speakers by a long shot , in fact he can become cringe worthy at times but he’s real and  a lot of times to the point.  Fluffy speeches with no substance is not Trumps style and I think he’s great for the US and World right now. Refreshing shall we say .   Macron is a smooth operator il give him that.

you're so right , here below is a model of substantiated speech you probably will appreciate:  

"There's no collusion with me and the Russians. Nobody's been tougher to Russia than I am. You can ask President Putin about that. There's been nobody. Between the military and the oil and all of the other things that I've done — the aluminum tax. They send us a lot of aluminum, and I put tariffs on aluminum coming in. The 60 people that we sent out — the 60 so-called diplomats. Nobody's been tougher. Nobody's even been close to as tough as me, and we hear this nonsense. So there's no collusion whatsoever."

[goldenbrwn1]

1 hour ago, Opl said:

you're so right , here below is a model of substantiated speech you probably will appreciate:  

"There's no collusion with me and the Russians. Nobody's been tougher to Russia than I am. You can ask President Putin about that. There's been nobody. Between the military and the oil and all of the other things that I've done — the aluminum tax. They send us a lot of aluminum, and I put tariffs on aluminum coming in. The 60 people that we sent out — the 60 so-called diplomats. Nobody's been tougher. Nobody's even been close to as tough as me, and we hear this nonsense. So there's no collusion whatsoever."

Yep he definitely writes em himself , you have to give it to him. 

[Opl]

8 hours ago, goldenbrwn1 said:

Yep he definitely writes em himself , you have to give it to him. 

You're right again, it was'nt Tony Schwartz ( "The Art of the deal") 

[goldenbrwn1]

3 hours ago, Opl said:

You're right again, it was'nt Tony Schwartz ( "The Art of the deal") 

I do get your sarcasm ....? You obvs didnt get mine. ?

Edited April 28, 2018 by goldenbrwn1