WASHINGTON– French President Emmanuel Macron told a joint session of Congress on Wednesday that the United States and France must once again show a united front on issues like the Iran and Paris agreements, reiterating France’s support for both and criticizing President Donald Trump’s stance on the two deals.
“There is an existing framework called the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action—Iran nuclear deal] to control the nuclear activity of Iran,” Macron said. “We signed it at the initiative of the United States. We signed it, both the United States and France. That is why we cannot say we should get rid of it.”
Macron’s criticism of Trump was a change in tone from the rest of his trip to Washington. Trump invited Macron as the first state visit of the Trump presidency, signifying the vital relationship between France and the United States. The leaders have developed an unlikely closeness, and Trump has said the two have a “very special relationship.”
The French president spoke to enthusiastic House chamber packed with senators and representatives who interrupted his speech several times with standing ovations when he spoke of democratic freedoms and the shared goal of ending terrorism in the Middle East. But Macron further excited Democrats, who demonstrated their support for his more liberal talking points with loud cheers and extended applause, while Republicans remained seated.
A main international hope for Macron’s visit to Washington was that the French president could convince Trump to remain in the Iran nuclear deal. Trump has long criticized the agreement as “insane” and “ridiculous,” blasting former President Barack Obama for entering the plan in 2015.
Until the French president’s arrival, Trump remained adamant about pulling out of the agreement by the May 12 deadline to recertify it. But during a press conference with Macron on Tuesday, Trump showed possible signs of renegotiating America’s role in the deal.
“We can be flexible. You know, in life you have to be flexible, and as leaders of countries, you have to show flexibility,” Trump said at the press briefing.
Macron also addressed the need for a more thorough deal, but restated that France will not pull out of the agreement unless there is a better replacement plan.
“It is true to say that this agreement may not address all concerns, and very important concerns,” he said to Congress. “But we should not abandon it without having something substantial instead. That is why France will not leave the JCPOA — because we signed it.
Macron touched on other contentious points of the Trump presidency, including his decision to pull the United States out of the Paris climate accord. Macron said that there has never been a more important time for global superpowers to jointly fight against climate change and called out the Trump administration’s decision to protect certain industries, presumably coal and steel, over the need to “transform our economies to meet the global challenge of climate change.”
“I believe in building a better future for our children, which requires offering them a planet that is still habitable in 25 years,” Macron said.
Trump pulled out of the Paris Climate Accord in June 2017, after saying it was a “bad deal” for the U.S. economy.
Macron called the difference in the two countries’ approaches to climate change “short-term disagreements” and paraphrased Trump’s campaign slogan: “Let’s work together to make our planet great again.”
“Let’s face it. There is no Planet B,” Macron said. “I am sure one day the United States will come back and join the Paris agreement.”
Throughout his speech, Macron celebrated the history of the French-American friendship and shared dedication to democratic values, and recalled their support for one another throughout challenging times.
Macron said France will continue backing the United States in its efforts to denuclearize North Korea, and that the success of the Syrian air strikes conducted by the United States, France and the United Kingdom nearly two weeks ago demonstrates a solid alliance between the countries.
However, Macron underscored the continued need for military presence in the Middle East, something Trump has questioned. Trump has threatened to remove American troops in Syria in recent weeks, which Macron urged the United States to reconsider.