Joining forces to tackle global challenges: the vision of Biden and Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to China was an opportunity to discuss critical issues such as human rights, trade, cybersecurity and the situation in Ukraine. The two leaders devised a joint strategy to address these concerns with China while Macron was in Beijing. However, US President Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron have made clear that France and the United States are committed to working together to promote democratic values and address international security threats. The goal is to promote peace, enhance trade dialogue and strengthen the bonds of friendship between the three countries.
The White House and the Elysée, the seat of the French presidency, have confirmed that US President Joe Biden and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron spoke to discuss the conflict in Ukraine in depth, with both leaders expressing their unwavering support for Kiev and agreeing on the importance of engaging China to end the conflict. The US and France have been backing Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict in 2014, when Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula. France believes that China's involvement can help stop the war, as the Asian country has close relations with Russia.
According to Mykola Kapitonenko, an expert on international relations in Ukraine, and Taras Zahorodni, a Ukrainian political scientist as well, they believe that for China to be a neutral party and a peacemaker in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict it must be able to engage in negotiations with both sides. The EU has a greater interest in ending the conflict, as the problems it generates directly affect the region. However, China can still derive some benefit from the developments. Therefore, to resolve the crisis, it will be necessary for Beijing to act as a neutral mediator when engaging with both sides.
The contact between Biden and Macron was an opportunity to address the differences that arose during the visit. Macron generated controversy by asserting that Europe should not take sides between the US or China in a dispute over Taiwan. During the recent discussion of Macron's visit to China, the Elysée clarified that the French president "reaffirmed his desire for Europeans to continue to arm themselves to shoulder their security burden-sharing responsibilities on the other side of the Atlantic". However, it seems that Biden's phone call to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, who accompanied Macron on his visit to China, did not deter the French president.
In a joint statement issued at the end of the visit, Presidents Xi Jinping and Emmanuel Macron affirmed their commitment to support the rules-based international order, human rights and fair trade practices. The presidents also pledged to support all efforts to restore peace in Ukraine. This statement was issued in a second White House communiqué which noted that the US President and the President of the European Commission agreed to work together to support international stability.
Important issues were discussed, such as trade between the EU and China and how to return it to its pre-pandemic state, while Chinese President Xi Jinping assured President Macron that a political settlement is the right way to resolve the Ukraine crisis. All parties were asked to accept a compromise and seek favourable conditions for a settlement. Macron urged Xi Jinping to bring Russia back to reason.
The Kremlin has reacted to Macron's proposal for a peace plan for Ukraine, making clear that any agreement should take into account its interests. Ukraine, on the other hand, has stated that it will not make concessions and that the peace plan must include the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory to be considered serious.
Americas Coordinator: José Antonio Sierra.