President Joe Biden issued an unusual “press statement” during his state visit to France on Saturday, welcoming the rescue of four hostages from Gaza but again refusing to answer questions.
He stood next to his host, President Emmanuel Macron, after a ceremonial welcome at the Arc de Triomph and a working lunch where they discussed China, trade and national security issues.
They both opened with comments on the rescue of four Israeli hostages from Gaza.
“I would like to endorse President Macron’s comments welcoming the safe rescue of four hostages returned to their families in Israel,” he said.
“We will not stop working until all hostages return home and a ceasefire is reached.”
President Joe Biden addressed the press in Paris on Saturday. But instead of a press conference, officials said the event was a “press release” with no questions asked
The pomp and circumstance of a full state visit almost always involves a press conference, allowing world leaders to describe their discussions and announce progress toward their shared goals.
But this time, officials warned journalists that they would not get a chance to question Macron and Biden about their relationship.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby offered no explanation when asked about the plan.
“During our discussions and in the planning of this visit, it was decided that that is what they would do, which is to come out and make statements to the press,” he told reporters a day earlier.
Macron spoke for nine minutes, but Biden only managed five minutes. He reflected on this week’s D-Day anniversary and thanked his host for his support of Ukraine, their joint work to reduce carbon emissions and his hospitality.
“It’s a beautiful country,” he said.
He ignored a loud question at the end about using seized Russian assets to help finance the war in Ukraine.
Biden responded just one question from the traveling press corps since his arrival in France on Wednesday, answering “good” when asked how his day had been on Thursday, following ceremonies to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
He granted a television interview to ABC News the same day, but the lack of a news conference will lead to new questions that he is trying to avoid.
He had no public events at all on Wednesday after flying in from Washington that morning.
President Emanuel Macron will receive the Bidens at a state dinner on Saturday evening
Macron and Biden pictured during their working lunch at the Elysee Palace, Paris
President Emmanuel Macron greets President Joe Biden on Saturday before his state visit in Paris, with first ladies Brigitte Macron and Jill Biden
Earlier, Macron and his wife welcomed Biden and first lady Jill Biden during a beautiful ceremony in the Arc de Triomphe. The two leaders stood shoulder to shoulder under a fluttering French tricolor to honor the country’s war dead.
“Proud to be here,” Biden said. ‘A great honor.’
It is an opportunity for France to give back after Biden hosted Macron for a state visit to the White House in 2022. And the French media have paid a lot of attention to the fact that their guest is in the country for five days and the D-Day anniversary.
‘France is… our oldest and one of our deepest allies. And this will be an important moment to reaffirm that alliance and also look to the future and what we need to achieve together,” US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters.
They would discuss Russia’s war with Ukraine, the Gaza crisis, as well as climate change, artificial intelligence and supply chains, he said.
They were also expected to announce plans to cooperate in the Indo-Pacific on port security and maritime law enforcement.
Biden and his officials have repeatedly pointed out that France is the U.S.’s oldest ally and is sending troops to fight in the Revolutionary War against Britain.
“It’s probably good for us to remember that we didn’t gain our independence either without some foreign assistance or foreign assistance, particularly from France,” White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Friday.
The two presidents laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a ceremony at the Arc du Triumphe to mark the start of the state visit
The Bidens arrive in the Beast. Jill Biden flew back to Paris to be by her husband’s side
The French Republican Guard stands in front of the Arc de Triomphe before a welcome ceremony with the French president and the US president in Paris
Biden arrived in France on Wednesday, ahead of the 80th anniversary of D-Day. On Friday, he gave a speech at the World War II Pointe du Hoc Ranger Monument
Yet that relationship brings tensions. Macron has repeatedly pressured Biden to go further in his support for Ukraine, even suggesting he would send French troops to train Ukrainian forces in a move the US president fears would only escalate Russian aggression.
And like other European leaders, Macron has been far more critical of Israel in its warfare in Gaza than Biden.
All this is accompanied by a large dose of Gallic outrage at any hint of American cultural imperialism, coupled with American annoyance at French sensitivities.
And then there is possibly the thorniest issue of all: trade.
Officials across Europe are outraged by Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act 2022. They see the subsidies for American-made products as an unfair, protectionist move that makes it harder for European companies to compete.
The issue threatened to overshadow Macron’s state visit to Washington in 2022 and embarrass his hosts.
During a meeting with US lawmakers, Marcon reportedly described it as a “super-aggressive” move against EU competitors.
Biden met French military veterans at the ceremony just after noon on Saturday
Later, Biden and Macron are expected to discuss the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine
There was no time for this during the official welcome ceremony. There was a military parade, a fly-over by French fighter jets and national anthems.
First lady Jill Biden stood by the president’s side after flying back to the US on a whirlwind visit to make sure she was with stepson Hunter as his trial on weapons charges continued.
While she was away, Biden spent Friday meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris, where he apologized for Congress’ months-long delay in approving tens of billions of dollars in military aid.
And then he flew to Normandy for a sensational speech, in which he connected the spirit of the American heroes of D-Day with today’s struggle for democracy.
“Does anyone doubt that they would want America to stand up here in Europe today against Putin’s aggression?”
‘They stormed the beaches together with our allies. Does anyone believe the Rangers want America to go it alone today?”
It was the second visit to the landing beaches in as many days. On Thursday, he led tributes at the American Cemetery before joining other world leaders at an international ceremony.
