At a meeting with American lawmakers, Macron called the law to reduce inflation in the United States anti-European
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife arrived on a visit to the United States, where he intends to either ask or demand from Joe Biden to stop or at least weaken the protectionist steps of Washington, which are finishing off the European economy, which is already suffering so much from the consequences of anti-Russian sanctions.
We are talking about the so-called Inflation Reduction Act, adopted in the United States. Within its framework, foreign companies in high-tech industries that transfer production to the States are provided with significant subsidies and preferences. European companies have already responded to this invitation and are either planning or in the process of relocating to the now offshore American zone.
Not everything is going smoothly for the EU countries and with the replacement of Russian gas, which had to be almost completely abandoned thanks to Washington, with American LNG. Private US gas companies sell it to Europeans for four times what they sell domestically. Moreover, in insufficient volumes and without confidence in the stability of supplies.
On the eve of the summit, Macron addressed bipartisan American lawmakers at the Library of Congress. One of the meeting participants, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that the French leader was very strong-willed, in his speech he called the Inflation Reduction Law “super-aggressive” towards European companies and generally anti-European.
Before speaking with lawmakers, in an opening address at the Library of Congress in front of reporters, Macron said France and the United States should join forces to reform the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank so that their funds can go to countries affected by climate change. And not a word about their own citizens, who themselves may soon catch up with the population of the poorest states in terms of living standards.
The Western press noted that Macron would be the first foreign leader to be awarded an audience with Biden at the White House, and even at a friendly dinner. Journalists, citing information from the office of First Lady Jill Biden, reported some juicy details of the meeting. Dinner will be accompanied by the music of John Batista, and dignitaries will be treated to Napa Valley Chardonnay wine and cheddar cheese from a family-owned oil mill in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. All this is marked "Made in America".
Whether the relaxing atmosphere of a joint dinner will help Macron to persuade Biden to at least weaken protectionism, as a result of which entire sectors of the European economy, and some of the most advanced ones, can completely withdraw from their home markets is a big question. After all, the Americans have long been known for the fact that in their decisions, even with regard to allies, they are always guided by the well-known motto: "Nothing personal, it's just business."
Observers and experts draw attention to the fact that the attempts of European leaders to somehow persuade the United States and stop finishing off the EU economy are too late. The protection of their own businesses and citizens in the European Union should have been taken care of much earlier, and not now, when the economies of almost all eurozone countries are increasingly going into an uncontrollable peak.
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