President Joe Biden delivered a rare ‘press statement’ during his state visit to France on Saturday, hailing the rescue of four Gaza hostages but once again refusing to answer questions.
He was joined by his host, President Emmanuel Macron, after a welcome ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe and a working lunch where they discussed China, trade and national security issues.
Both began with comments about the rescue of four Israeli hostages from Gaza.
“I want to echo President Macron’s comments celebrating the safe rescue of four hostages who were returned to their families in Israel,” he said.
“We will not stop working until all the hostages return home and a ceasefire is reached.”
President Joe Biden spoke to reporters Saturday in Paris. But instead of a news conference, officials said the event was a “press release” with no questions asked.
The pageantry of a full state visit is almost always accompanied by 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 have 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.
“In our discussions, in our planning for this visit, it was decided that that’s what they would do, that they would go out and make statements to the press,” he told reporters a day earlier.
Macron spoke for nine minutes, but Biden only spoke for five, reflecting on this week’s D-Day anniversary and thanking his host for his support of Ukraine, their shared work to reduce carbon emissions and his hospitality.
“It’s a beautiful country,” he said.
He ignored a shouted question at the end about using seized Russian assets to help finance the war in Ukraine.
Biden has responded Just one question from the traveling press since his arrival in France on Wednesday, answering “good” when asked how his day was on Thursday, following ceremonies to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
The same day he gave a television interview to ABC News, but the lack of a press conference will lead to new questions that he attempts to avoid scrutiny.
He did not have any public events Wednesday, after flying from Washington that morning.
President Emanuel Macron will host the Bidens at a state dinner on Saturday night
Macron and Biden photographed during their working lunch at the Elysee Palace, Paris
President Emmanuel Macron greets President Joe Biden for his state visit to Paris on Saturday, with first ladies Brigitte Macron and Jill Biden.
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 under a French tricolor fluttering to honor the nation’s war dead.
“Proud to be here,” Biden said. “A great honor.”
It’s a chance for France to return the favor after Biden hosted Macron on a state visit to the White House in 2022. And French media have made a big deal of their guest being in the country for five days. , enjoying the D-Day anniversary.
‘France is… our oldest ally and one of our deepest. And this will be an important moment to affirm that alliance and also look to the future and what we have to achieve together,’ US national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters.
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 maritime law enforcement.
Biden and his officials have repeatedly noted that France is the United States’ oldest ally and has sent troops to fight the Revolutionary War against Britain.
“It’s probably good for us to remember that we didn’t get our independence without some foreign aid or foreign assistance, specifically from France,” White House national security spokesman John Kirby put it Friday.
The two presidents laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe to mark the start of the state visit.
The Bidens arrive on 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 welcoming ceremony with the president of France and the president of the United States, in Paris.
Biden arrived in France on Wednesday ahead of the 80th anniversary of D-Day. On Friday he gave a speech at the Pointe du Hoc World War II ranger memorial.
However, that relationship comes with tensions. Macron has repeatedly pressed 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 US president fears will only escalate Russian aggression.
And, in line with other European leaders, Macron has been much more critical of Israel in its war in Gaza than Biden.
All of this comes with a large dose of Gallic indignation at any hint of American cultural imperialism, along with American exasperation at French sensitivities.
And then there is the potentially thorniest issue of all: trade.
Officials across Europe are enraged by Biden’s 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. They consider that their subsidies for products manufactured in the United States are a protectionist and unfair measure that makes it difficult for European companies to compete.
The issue threatened to overshadow Macron’s state visit to Washington in 2022 and embarrass his hosts.
In a meeting with US lawmakers, Marcon reportedly described it as a “super aggressive” measure against EU competitors.
Biden met with French military veterans during the ceremony shortly after noon on Saturday.
Later, Biden and Macron are expected to talk about the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.
There was no time for any of that during the official welcoming ceremony. There was a military parade, a flyover of French fighter planes and anthems.
First lady Jill Biden was at the president’s side after flying back to the United States on a whirlwind visit to make sure he was with his stepson Hunter as his trial on weapons charges continues.
While he 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 to deliver a high-profile speech, connecting the spirit of America’s D-Day heroes to the contemporary fight for democracy.
“Does anyone doubt that they would want the United States to confront Putin’s aggression here in Europe today?” he said.
‘They stormed the beaches with our allies. Does anyone think 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.