On Saturday, President Joe Biden and President Emmanuel Macron of France deliver remarks in statements to the press.
Fuel your success with Forbes. Gain unlimited access to premium journalism, including breaking news, groundbreaking in-depth reported stories, daily digests and more. Plus, members get a front-row seat at members-only events with leading thinkers and doers, access to premium video that can help you get ahead, an ad-light experience, early access to select products including NFT drops and more:
https://account.forbes.com/membership/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=growth_non-sub_paid_subscribe_ytdescript
Stay Connected
Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes
Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbes
Forbes Video on Instagram: http://instagram.com/forbes
More From Forbes: http://forbes.com
Fuel your success with Forbes. Gain unlimited access to premium journalism, including breaking news, groundbreaking in-depth reported stories, daily digests and more. Plus, members get a front-row seat at members-only events with leading thinkers and doers, access to premium video that can help you get ahead, an ad-light experience, early access to select products including NFT drops and more:
https://account.forbes.com/membership/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=growth_non-sub_paid_subscribe_ytdescript
Stay Connected
Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes
Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbes
Forbes Video on Instagram: http://instagram.com/forbes
More From Forbes: http://forbes.com
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00 Mr. President, dear Joe, ladies and gentlemen, ambassadors, ladies and gentlemen, Mr. President,
00:24 you are honoring us with a state visit to France after your presence and that of your
00:31 wife Dr. Jill Biden after the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy. And I believe your veterans,
00:43 our veterans, and those of all the allies were honored by your presence and that of
00:51 other leaders on the 6th of June and by the warm welcome they enjoyed while they were
01:01 there. But this says a lot about the strength of our alliance and what binds France and
01:07 the United States of America. This is a unity of blood shed to address the great challenges
01:19 of the day, but it is this bloodline that is the connection between our two flags, our
01:27 two nations. So once again, thank you for your presence. Together with the President,
01:32 we discuss the great issues that we are facing, the first of which being Ukraine. Today in
01:40 Ukraine, men and women are fighting with remarkable courage, determined not to give in faced with
01:51 the Russian aggression, the unjustifiable aggression. Jointly, we responded to extend
01:59 our support to this European nation which is fighting for its survival and its freedom,
02:04 and we will continue to do this as intensely and as long as it's necessary. And I would
02:07 like to thank you, sir, for the commitment of the United States of America and the recent
02:12 decisions you recently confirmed whereby you came to our sides and played a critical role
02:21 in this conflict. This conflict is all about the security and stability of all Europe.
02:30 Many thanks again, and I think we see eye to eye on this war raging in Ukraine. We took
02:37 joint decisions authorizing Ukraine to fight back, strike its aggressor when defending
02:44 its territory. We are, of course, making great efforts to arm, train, equip the Ukrainian
02:51 army, and we made remarkable decisions. We mentioned the details of the war, as I said,
03:00 raging out there. But during the G7, we hope, both hope that all members of the G7 will
03:09 agree to a $50 billion solidarity fund for Ukraine, and then the peace conference in
03:16 Switzerland. You will be represented there. This will be a critical stage as well, and
03:20 of course, the NATO summit in Washington, D.C. As regards the Ukrainian issue, as I
03:26 said, we do see eye to eye. Respect for international law, the freedom of peoples to determine their
03:38 own future, to self-determination, and thank you for being at your side. This close cooperation
03:44 between France and the United States concerns other crises as well. There should be no dual
03:51 standards, and although there are many crises around the world, we're still applying the
03:55 same principles, with the same determination. In Gaza, we want to obtain the immediate liberation
04:04 of hostages, and we can only welcome the liberation of four hostages by the Israeli army. We want
04:12 to achieve an immediate ceasefire and open up the prospect of a political solution, which
04:19 is the only one that can bring about a fair and lasting peace and meet the security of
04:24 concerns of both people, and that is why we are supporting the comprehensive proposal
04:30 of the United States of America. After nine months of conflict, the situation in Rafa
04:36 and the human consequences are unacceptable. It is not acceptable that Israel should not
04:42 open all checkpoints to humanitarian aid as requested by the international community
04:50 for months. Israeli operations should stop there, and the United Nations Security Council
04:59 has a role to play, but of course jointly we will double down to avoid regional escalation.
05:06 In particular, in Lebanon, where we are working on de-escalation on the blue line and on the
05:13 institutional aspect, and both countries are working with both, and indeed all, stakeholders
05:21 to ensure that all parties come back to their senses. Regarding Iran, we know the same thing.
05:29 There is an all-out escalation, unprecedented attacks against Israel, operations of regional
05:37 destabilization, and of course the Iranian nuclear program. Both our countries are determined
05:43 to bring pressure to bear to counter this trend, and this was demonstrated recently
05:49 enough a few days ago by jointly adopting a resolution at the International Atomic Energy
05:57 Agency. The self-same determination is there. We do not wish to apply double standards,
06:03 and that is why we coordinate our efforts in Africa, the crisis in Sudan, in the east
06:08 of the Democratic Republic of Congo, throughout the region, and over and beyond this. Our
06:18 two countries, with a mean sense of leadership, will address the challenges of our time, especially
06:22 those touching the most vulnerable countries. We do wish to achieve a fairer international
06:32 order. That is the meaning of the Paris Pact for the people and the planet, but also initiatives
06:38 for a more efficient tax system. We are stepping up the exit from coal energy. There will be
06:47 a conference on the ocean, and we are mobilizing efforts on global health. We will be both
06:56 involved in organizing the Gavi conference here in Paris. That is also what lies behind
07:04 this proposition of an Olympic truce, which was proposed by the UN just a few days ago.
07:12 On the economic front, we are both concerned about China's unfair trade practices, which
07:17 bring about overcapacity. This is of such importance for the global economy that we
07:23 have to act in a coordinated fashion. During my visit in December '22, I explained the
07:29 consequences of the Inflation Reduction Act on the European economy. We discussed this
07:35 again. That piece of legislation is useful because it makes it possible -- indeed, it
07:40 steps up the decarbonization of the American economy and therefore the implementation of
07:46 the Paris agreements. But of course, we want to reset, as it were, both our economies -- that
07:52 is, the European economy and that of the United States of America -- in terms of regulation,
08:00 investment, and on such issues as clean tech, artificial intelligence, and indeed agri-food
08:08 issues. But of course, we want to work on a bilateral level for better cooperation.
08:15 American students, American scientists, American entrepreneurs are more than welcome in this
08:20 country. We wish there would be more of them. We also have cooperation based, since the
08:26 state visit of December 2022, around the civilian nuclear industry and the space industry. We
08:34 want to go further. Indeed, a number of agreements were signed between CNES and NASA on Earth
08:40 observation or indeed the Artemis program. And also proud to announce that the first
08:47 American high-speed train built by Alstom will be commissioned in the United States
08:51 by the year's end. And that is also a sign of increased cooperation between our railroad
08:59 industries. And this is a sign of economic cooperation, but also a step towards the energy
09:05 transition resorting to France's technological excellence.
09:10 I would also like to signal the importance of American investors in France. There was
09:15 the Choose France Summit in France. France will start a new foundation worth 100 million
09:22 euros to promote university exchanges and exchange programs of research between two
09:28 countries. I would like to thank companies that joined this. In particular, CMACGM was
09:33 very much involved. This new initiative comes after the success of the Villa Albertine project,
09:39 where several cities in your country received as many as 180 creators and intellectuals
09:46 in a matter of two years in about 50 cities.
09:48 I shall not speak longer, but I would like to say that regarding the wars around the
09:57 world, inflicting pain around the world on big international issues and on the bilateral
10:02 front, together with President Biden, we want to have a joint roadmap. We need to trust
10:10 in the future, trust in progress, trust in innovation, the determination to create jobs
10:18 not just in the U.S., but in Europe as well. We want to be there when the economy is properly
10:26 decarbonized, but we want to build peace. We mustn't be naive. We must be on the side
10:30 of those who resist. We must not be naive. In other words, we need to find demanding
10:35 solutions.
10:37 But I would like to thank you, Mr. President, to be not the president not just of the first
10:42 of the greatest world power, but you being clear and loyal, a partner who respects Europeans
10:51 and who wants to build on these agreements from the Ukraine to the Middle East through
10:56 what we're picking up today on the economic front.
11:00 Thank you. Thank you for being with us today, and thank you for honoring Paris, Normandy,
11:07 and France during these celebrations with your state visit. Thank you.
11:11 >> The President: Well, Mr. President, thank you. It's been a great honor to be here, not
11:23 only in Normandy and France, but it was a moving experience for a student of French
11:29 history to be the chancelier today. It was a moving experience for us, for the whole
11:37 delegation.
11:38 You know, France was our first friend and remains our -- one of our best friends. This
11:48 week, we reaffirmed that friendship in a deeply meaningful way. But before I begin my remarks,
11:54 I want to echo President Macron's comments welcoming the safe rescue of four hostages
12:00 that were returned to their families in Israel. We won't stop working until all the hostages
12:05 come home and a ceasefire is reached. That is essential to happen.
12:10 You know, together we marked the 80th anniversary of the Allied operation that saved Europe
12:15 and incredible heroes who carried it out. I found it -- 180 brave men -- happened to
12:23 be all men at the time -- who came back to Normandy this week with such pride and sense
12:29 of devotion. I don't think anyone who got to meet them, shake their hands, or hear their
12:34 stories will ever forget their stories or the look in their eyes and the pride they
12:39 took with what they did. But you could also see the remembering the lost comrades at the
12:44 same time.
12:46 You know, the fact is that I know I won't forget it. I want to thank President Macron,
12:52 Mr. Macron, for -- the people of France for making our heroes feel so welcome, because
12:58 they did feel welcome. You could feel it. You could see it. And we'll never forget -- we'll
13:03 never forget what they did.
13:06 And this week, we have showed the world once again the power of allies and what we can
13:11 achieve when we stand together. That's what this relationship between France and the United
13:16 States exemplifies. You know, we see it in Ukraine, where our two countries are standing
13:21 with the Ukrainian people as they fight off Putin's brutal aggression.
13:26 And yesterday, I announced $225 million in new security assistance to Ukraine, and it's
13:31 the sixth package we've provided since we signed the national security legislation earlier
13:37 this year. I wish we could have done it when we wanted to six months earlier, but we got
13:42 it done.
13:43 With $61 billion in additional aid to Ukraine. And I commend France and our European allies
13:50 for their leadership as well. The EU has proved that -- provided over $107 billion -- $107
13:57 billion in assistance to Ukraine since the war began, because we know what happens if
14:03 Putin succeeds in subjugating Ukraine. And it won't -- we won't stop -- you know, you
14:10 know Putin's not going to stop at Ukraine. It's not just Ukraine. It's about much more
14:14 than Ukraine.
14:16 All of Europe will be threatened. We're not going to let that happen. The United States
14:20 is standing strong with Ukraine, we're standing with our allies, and we're standing with France.
14:25 We will not -- we will not, say it again, walk away.
14:30 And around the world, France and the United States are working together to strengthen
14:33 security and share prosperity. In the Indo-Pacific, we stand together for freedom of navigation,
14:40 transparent governance, as well as fair economic practices. In the Middle East and North Africa,
14:46 we work together on issues critical to peace and stability, like food security and counterterrorism.
14:52 From the existential threat of climate change, which is just growing greater, we're working
14:57 together to accelerate the global transition to net zero. It is the existential threat
15:02 to humanity -- among -- the only existential threat to humanity, including nuclear weapons,
15:08 is if we do nothing on climate change.
15:10 I could go on. Every day, the French people and the American people are connected in countless
15:15 ways through economic ties, collaboration in science and technology, educational exchanges,
15:22 and the fact is that these cherished ties between our families and friends continues
15:39 to grow. The bonds between our nations are strong, vast, and rooted in the most important
15:45 element, shared values. That's true today, as it's been from the very start. In a few
15:51 weeks, the United States will celebrate the Fourth of July, our day of independence. That
15:57 feat would not have been possible -- it's not hyperbole -- would not have been possible
16:02 were it not for France coming to our aid. We're a nation because of France in large
16:07 part. You stepped up when we needed help, and you did it. That's what Fourth of July
16:12 is about. That feat would not have been possible, again, without your support, without French
16:18 support. Today, I proudly stand with France and support freedom and democracy around the
16:24 world. That's what this spectacular week is all about. Mr. President, there's much more
16:29 we had the chance to talk about. We're going to continue to talk. You've become a good
16:33 friend, and I really appreciate your cooperation and your insights. Thank you, thank you, thank
16:38 you.
16:39 Merci beaucoup. Thank you, President.
16:41 Thank you.
16:42 Mr. President, can you give us an update on the Russian assets? Did you discuss that today?
16:43 Mr. President, can you give us an update on the Russian assets? Did you discuss that today?