Climate: Macron insists on criticism of US protectionism

The United States and the European Union (EU) “are not on an equal footing” in relation to the North American subsidies provided for in Joe Biden’s great climate plan, which favors products “made in the USA”, he lamented, this Thursday , French President Emmanuel Macron.

On an official visit to the United States, Macron had already criticized, Wednesday, the subsidies contained in the ambitious plan of the American president, Joe Biden, considering them “commercially super-aggressive” for European companies.

The president is received this Thursday at the White House, in Washington, with whom he will analyze, in addition to the issue of trade protectionism – on the table is the difficult issue of North American industrial recovery projects -, major international issues, such as relations with China and the war in Ukraine.

The alliance with the United States “is stronger than anything”, but Europe should not become an “adjustment variable” at a time when Joe Biden throws all the forces of the first world power into rivalry with China, he underlined. Macron.

“It is super-aggressive for our business”, warned the French head of state Wednesday, during a lunch with congressmen at the Capitol, as part of a visit to Washington.

The large subsidies decided by the US President, in the important economic and social measure called the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), are “super-aggressive for companies [europeias]”, Macron stressed during the meeting, according to a France-Presse (AFP) journalist present in the room.

“Put yourself in my shoes”, referred the French leader to the congressmen, adding: “You can solve your problem, but you will make mine worse” with that agenda.

For Macron, these investments could “kill many jobs” in Europe, if there is not better transatlantic coordination.

“Nobody contacted me when the IRA was in negotiations”, he insisted, calling for him to be “respected as a good friend”.

France views with concern the economic patriotism shown by the American Democratic President, with the motto “Made in USA”.

Joe Biden intends, in particular, to boost the electric vehicle sector, with the aim of increasing industrial employment, energy transition and technological competition with China.

The plan launched by Joe Biden provides for nearly $375 billion (368.9 billion euros) in climate and energy programs aimed at helping the country reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 40% by 2030.

The package will be funded largely by tax increases, including a new tax on corporate share buybacks and a 15% minimum tax on companies with very high profits.

Regarding the environment, the bill will inject almost 375 billion dollars over the decade, which for consumers means tax benefits for the purchase of electric vehicles.

From the US point of view, Macron’s state visit hopes to turn the page on last year’s serious diplomatic crisis.

In September 2021, the United States announced a new alliance, AUKUS, with Australia and the United Kingdom, arousing the fury of France, as it lost a “mega-deal” for the sale of submarines to Canberra.