| Author (Person) | Negrier-Pascaud, Mathilde |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Cardiff EDC |
| Series Details | April 2018 |
| Publication Date | 25/04/2018 |
| Content Type | News |
|
Further information: French President Emmanuel Macron went on a state visit to the White House from 22-25 April 2018. By doing so, he was the first foreign leader to go on an official state visit in the Trump White House. The main topic on the Agenda was Trump’s intention to pull out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran. In 2015, the JCPOA was agreed by Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the US, UK, France, China and Russia - plus Germany. Iran agreed to stop its nuclear programme in return for an easing of economic sanctions on Iran. The accord saw Iran agree to limit the size of its stockpile of enriched uranium for 15 years and the number of centrifuges installed to enrich uranium for 10 years. Iran also agreed to modify a heavy water facility so it could not produce plutonium suitable for a nuclear bomb. The accord was endorsed by Security Council resolution 2231 and its implementation began on January 2016, after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) certified that Iran had fulfilled its key commitments. The US president has been threatening to reject an extension of the nuclear pact by a 12 May deadline. He complained that the deal only limited Iran's nuclear activities for a fixed period; had failed to stop the development of ballistic missiles; and had handed Iran a $100bn windfall that it used to finance terrorism and oppression across the Middle East. Iran warned of "severe consequences" if the US withdraws from the deal. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif was quoted as saying that Tehran would "most likely" abandon the accord if the US pulled out. Iranian officials have said uranium enrichment could be stepped up within days and that the country could withdraw from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). As regards the situation, Macron said that France had presented a new framework for a deal that would address U.S. concerns on four points: the development of ballistic missiles, “sunset clauses” covering the expiration of certain sanctions against Iran, verification of Iran’s nuclear and weapons programs and its role in neighbouring countries, namely Syria and Yemen. Such a “new deal” would not replace the current one, but expand on it. Trump welcomed the proposals but he stopped short of saying that the United States had signed on to the new deal, or that he would keep Washington in the current one before a May 12 deadline. Another major issue in focus for the trip was Trump’s trade tariffs, and an exemption for the European Union set to expire in May. While both leaders underscored the need for “reciprocity” in trade, the U.S. president made no commitment to extend the exemption or make it permanent. Trump also thanked France for joining the US and Britain earlier this month in in launching air strikes after an alleged chemical attack in Syria. He spoke of how "civilized nations came together to ban chemical weapons" after World War I before praising France's fighting forces in last week's coordinated airstrikes in Syria, to which Macron pointed out the importance of fighting for victory but also for peace. On April 25, the French President addressed a joint session of Congress. He used his speech to denounce nationalism and isolationism. He said isolationism, withdrawal and nationalism "can be tempting to us as a temporary remedy to our fears. But closing the door to the world will not stop the evolution of the world. It will not douse but inflame the fears of our citizens". The speech was widely interpreted as an attack on President Donald Trump's America First agenda. Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel visited the US on April 27 to make a last-minute bid to dissuade Mr Trump from withdrawing from the agreement. |
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| Countries / Regions | France, United States |
