Read on Twitter
Yesterday French president Macron participated in an event in honor of the creation of the @AtlanticCouncil new Europe Center. A discussion with @benjaminhaddad packed with elements of Macron's doctrine - and some contrast to Biden's own foreign policy speech on the same day 1/ https://twitter.com/AtlanticCouncil/status/1357390016176156673
Macron insisted on the need for a "result-oriented multilateralism". In his view, Western powers have lost ground to China due to their inability to deliver results, including on vaccine. So, to regain credibility, making the multilateral system work is priority 2/
Biden doesn't talk about multilateralism, but about global cooperation to restore U.S. leadership. So the contrast is more a question of degree than nature: for the French, multilateralism should be inclusive to be efficient. The US wants to lead again. 3/
Macron's views on power competition depends on the country concerned: a sophisticated approach to China ("partner, competitor, systemic rival"), an apologetic approach of Russia ("need to engage, even if little concrete results"), and tough on Turkey (need for NATO regulation) 4/
Biden does not mince words on China ("most serious competitor") and Russia (responsible of "aggressive actions): in both cases, declares himself ready to confront them, while leaving room for diplomacy, especially "in coalition and coordination with other like-minded partners."5/
So, listening to both Macron and Biden, it's clear there are opportunities for transatlantic cooperation among allies on multilateralism and great powers. Rhetoric slightly different but same goals: restoring global cooperation and confronting aggression with pragmatism 6/
However, there is one area where I see a bit of divergence, paradoxically, but where opportunities are the greatest : Biden's "foreign policy for the middle class" vs Macron's "new consensus" 7/
Macron pleaded for “a new consensus”, echoing the op-ed below, which called for an inclusive multilateralism to work on global challenges as well as democracy and inequalities, since “many need to be reassured about the benefits of globalization”. 8/ https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/multilateralism-for-the-masses-by-emmanuel-macron-et-al-2020-02
Meanwhile, Biden promises a "foreign policy for the middle class", in order to "compete from a position of strength by building back better at home". It means investing in the country, protect workers in trade deals, limiting military interventions 9/
As Jake Sullivan said earlier that day too, "our priority is not to get access for Goldman Sachs in China; our priority is to make sure that we are dealing with China’s trade abuses that are harming American jobs and American workers in the US." 10/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2021/02/04/press-briefing-by-press-secretary-jen-psaki-and-national-security-advisor-jake-sullivan-february-4-2021/
Building back better is urgent and crucial. But I see some contrast with the European "new consensus" approach, which basically calls for "building back better together".
The US should remember that friends and allies around the world share the same challenges, and could help.11/
The US should remember that friends and allies around the world share the same challenges, and could help.11/
It would be a pity if “Foreign policy for the middle class” was a simple “buy American” protectionism. It is an opportunity to work with other world leaders, European, Asian, African. towards a fairer, more climate-conscious globalization for all. [End]
Post-scriptum: @AtlanticCouncil #ACFrontPage format was excellent. Very stimulating to have a diverse panel of questioners @adam_tooze @Joe_Nye @SophiaBesch @RachelRizzo among others, all masterfully led by @benjaminhaddad
