President Joe Biden was feted by his French counterpart on Saturday evening with a formal state dinner in Paris celebrating relations between France and the United States.
Singer Pharrell Williams, actors Salma Hayek and Léa Seydoux, tennis great John McEnroe, in town for the French Open, were all on the guest list, along with political heavyweights and titans of the fashion industry.
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy came with wife Carla Bruni.
They were there as guests of President Emmanuel Macron and first lady Brigitte Macron, who were returning the favor for their state visit to Washington in 2022.
American lawmakers were well represented with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a congressional delegation that had been in France for D-Day commemorations.
The Macrons greet the Bidens on the red carpet ahead of their state dinner on Saturday
Earlier the two leaders discussed tackling China, as well as conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. And although there are tensions over trade, the two were keen to highlight areas of agreement.
Biden said France was America’s ‘first friend’ at its founding and remained one of its closest allies more than two centuries later.
They said the two countries will work to contain tensions around the Israeli war against the Hamas militant group.
‘We are redoubling efforts together to avoid a regional explosion, particularly in Lebanon,’ said Macron.
Both men welcomed the rescue by Israeli forces of four hostages held by Hamas since October. “We won’t stop working until all the hostages come home and a ceasefire is reached,” Biden said.
Earlier Macron and his wife welcomed Biden and first lady Jill Biden in a pomp-filled ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe. The two leaders stood shoulder to shoulder beneath a fluttering French tricolor to honor the nation’s war dead.
‘Proud to be here,’ said Biden. ‘A great honor.’
It is a chance for France to return the favor after Biden hosted Macron for a state visit at the White House in 2022. And the French media have made much of the fact that their guest is in the country for five days, taking in the D-Day anniversary.
‘France is … our oldest and one of our deepest allies. And this will be an important moment to affirm that alliance and also look to the future and what we have to accomplish together,’ U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters.
The two first ladies shared a special moment as the Bidens arrived on the red carpet
Singer Pharrell Williams arrives for the event at the Elysee Palace
Salma Hayek and Francois-Henri Pinault, CEO of luxury group Kering, arrive for state dinner
Tennis legend-turned-commentator John McEnroe arrives with wife Patty Smyth
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived with his wife Carla Bruni
They were to discuss Russia’s war with Ukraine, the crisis in Gaza, as well as climate change, artificial intelligence and supply chains, he said.
They were also expected to announce plans to work together in the Indo-Pacific on port security and on maritime law enforcement.
Biden and his officials have repeatedly pointed out that France is the oldest ally of the U.S., sending troops to fight in the Revolutionary War against Britain.
‘It’s probably a good thing for us to remember that we didn’t win our independence either without some foreign help or foreign assistance, specifically from France,’ is how White House national security spokesman John Kirby put it on Friday.
President Emanuel Macron will host the Bidens at a state dinner on Saturday night
Macron and Biden pictured during their working lunch at the Elysee Palace, Paris
President Emmanuel Macron greets President Joe Biden for his state visit in Paris on Saturday, with first ladies Brigitte Macron and Jill Biden
Yet that relationship comes with strains. Macron has repeatedly pushed Biden to go further in his support for Ukraine, even suggesting that he would send French forces to train Ukrainian troops in a move the American president fears would only escalate Russian aggression.
And, in line with other European leaders, Macron has been far more critical of Israel in its waging of war in Gaza than Biden.
That all comes with a big dose of Gallic indignation at any hint of American cultural imperialism, coupled with U.S. exasperation at French sensitivities.
And then there is potentially the thorniest issue of all: Trade.
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 into Paris to be at her husband’s side
French Republican Guards stand in front of the Arc de Triomphe before a welcoming ceremony with France’s president and US president, in Paris
Biden arrived in France on Wednesday ahead of the 80th anniversary of D-Day. On Friday, he delivered a speech at World War II Pointe du Hoc Ranger Monument
Officials throughout Europe are infuriated by Biden’s 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. They see its 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 2022 state visit to Washington and embarrass his hosts.
In a meeting with American lawmakers, Marcon reportedly described it as a ‘super aggressive’ move against E.U. competitors.
There was no time for any of that during the official welcome ceremony. There was a military parade, a fly-over by French fighter jet and anthems.
First lady Jill Biden was at the president’s side after flying back to the U.S. in a whirlwind visit to make sure she was with stepson Hunter as his trial on gun charges continues.
Biden met French military veterans during the ceremony just after midday on Saturday
Later Biden and Macron are expected to discuss conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine
While she was away, Biden spent Friday meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris, where he apologized for a months-long delay by Congress in approving tens of billions of dollars of military aid.
And then he flew to Normandy for a much-trailed speech, connecting the spirit of the U.S. heroes of D-day with the contemporary fight for democracy.
‘Does anyone doubt they would want America to stand up against Putin’s aggression here in Europe today,’ he said.
‘They stormed the beaches alongside our allies. Does anyone believe 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.
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