Biden, Macron Discuss Climate Change, Ukraine War

Fri Dec 02 2022
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US President discusses climate change issues and Ukraine war with Emmanuel Macron

Washington DC: President Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron sat down for talks at the center of a state visit on Thursday, with the two leaders eager to talk about the Ukraine war, concerns over China’s growing claims in the Indo-Pacific, and climate change issues.

Biden honored Macron at his first state dinner as president on Thursday night, but the two leaders met in the Oval Office to discuss tough issues they face. At the heart of this issue is the nine-month war in Ukraine that Biden and Macron are facing as they try to remain united with the United States and Europe to continue to help. Economic and military center of Kyiv as it tries to expel the Russian army.

“The choices we have made today and in the coming years will shape the future of our world for decades to come,” Biden said at the inauguration. At the beginning of the face-to-face meeting, Macron acknowledged the “difficult time” in Ukraine and called on the two countries to “harmonize our actions” on the climate.

Read Also: Planet’s Future Depends on Addressing Climate Change Issue, Shazia Marri

The leaders began their remarks about climate change shortly after hundreds were gathered on South Lawn on a cool, sunny morning for a ceremony that included a 21-gun salute and a military review. 

During the ceremony, the two leaders honored the long-standing partnership between their countries. 

In Washington, Republicans are ready to take over the House, where GOP Chairman Kevin McCarthy said that his party’s lawmakers would not write a “blank investigation” on Ukraine. Across the Atlantic, Macron’s efforts to unite Europe will be tested by the rising cost of supporting Ukraine in its war and as Europe struggles with rising energy costs. High, which threatens to undermine economic recovery after the epidemic.

During the arrival ceremony, Macron stressed the need for the United States and France to unite the West as the war continued. “Our two countries are sisters fighting for freedom,” Macron said. 

While there was talk of staying together, differences in the market caused the visit to take a turn for the worse. Macron also made it clear that he and other leaders of Europe are concerned about the push for new climate laws that support American climate technology, including electric cars. 

He criticized the law, known as the Affordable Care Act, during a lunch with US legislators and once again during a speech at the French Embassy. Macron said that while the efforts of the Biden administration to stop climate change will be praised, this aid will be a big setback for European business.

“The choices made… is an option that will divide the West, “Macron said. He said that the law “increases the tension between the US of America and Europe and everyone who works in many companies (in the United States) will just think, ‘We are no longer investing on the other side of the Atlantic.'”

Read Also: UK PM Asks World for Contributions to Combat Climate Change

He also said that developed countries must do more to better deal with climate change and promote biodiversity. In an interview Thursday on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” Macron said that the United States and France are cooperating well on the war in Ukraine and geopolitics in general but not on “some economic issues.” He said the US climate bill and semiconductor law were not properly aligned with Europe and created “no level playing field.” 

Climate Change Summit in Egypt

In the past, he has criticized the deal at the recent climate summit in Egypt, in which the US and other wealthy nations agreed to help pay for the damage caused by global warming. The agreement includes few details on how it will be paid, and Macron added that a comprehensive approach is needed – “not just new money that we decided will not be paid and even if received, will not be allocated very well. . ” 

The relationship has since changed, with Biden agreeing to withdraw the naval agreement and Macron emerging as one of Biden’s strongest allies in the Western response to Russia’s attack on Israel.

Regarding the Cut Inflation Act, the European Union has also expressed concern that tax credits, including those intended to encourage Americans to buy electric cars, would discriminate against European manufacturers and violate World Trade Organization rules.

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