Yep, Europe is taking the lead on world influence formerly held by the us. But now that they are obsessed with soybeans they're basically a joke lol.
9
Headline should read "Macron plays Trump like a fiddle."
30
I wouldn't mind if this turned out to be the last G7 summit ever. The U.S. is scheduled to host in 2020. Donald Trump is vowing to hold the summit at his Miami resort and forcibly invite Vladimir Putin. Those are two good reasons for leaders of the other 6 countries to boycott. And anyway, the G7 became obsolete once China became the world's factory. FYI, in 2018 China produced more steel than the next 39 largest steel-producing countries combined.
The world has changed quite a bit when the first G6 summit was held in France in 1975, before Macron was born. Mao Zedong was still living and China was an impoverished agricultural backwater. Time to retire this relic of another era. The G20 meetings are more inclusive.
14
Of course Macron was center stage, the meeting was on his turf.
His two big initiatives seemed to fizzle. The Iranian minister came for five minutes and left. And he insulted not only the President of Brazil but also the entire country through his condescension.
Perhaps it would be a good time for France to plow under some of its vineyards and start a re-forestation program?
9
@Asher
Vineyards also absorb carbon dioxide.
17
@Asher Once again, Trump was very presidential.
1
@Andy in So Cal Good point! Am so tired of French and France bashing. Macron is one of the few adults in the room.
22
Macron should study more about national sovereignty. This whole concern with the Amazon is not in vain, we Brazilians know of the riches that exist here, such as Niobium for example. Macron even talked about creating an international status for the Amazon region, disrespecting the national sobriety of the countries of this region
7
@Pedro Ivo... Macron's envolée (oratory flight) about the Amazons was a visceral reflex shared by the great majority of international observers concerning Bolsonaro's election and careless rule for environment. Has nothing to do with Brazilian people who are great people. I live in Quebec where Niobium is also produced. I hope Minas Gerais is spared and free from fires in the region.
16
@Pedro Ivo
I am sure your president will do the best for his citizens instead of engaging in power and sharing this with the wealthy. Let me know how it is working out in a couple of years.
8
Macron should study more about national sovereignty. This whole concern with the Amazon is not in vain, we Brazilians know of the riches that exist here, such as Niobium for example. Macron even talked about creating an international status for the Amazon region, disrespecting the national sobriety of the countries of this region
1
@Pedro Ivo
Then don't take their money or any other nation's money to help out Brazil in your national crisis. The money would only go to the bureaucrats and wealthy anyhow rather than where it is needed most. Brazilians voted for a clown just like the USA did.
6
@Vail Vote for a clown, expect a circus.
7
Macron was the star of the show? Perhaps he was teying to distance himself from his poor results as the leader of France. In 2Q19, the french economy grew at a miserable annualized rate of 1.2%. Trump was being criticized here for only 2% growth rate. And his job approval by the french people, which the author neglected to mention? It is about 30%, 10%+ below Trump, and his net negative approval figures are also about 30%. Trump’s are only -10%, and most of us consider him to be unpopular.
8
Yes macron hasn’t given the French economy a steroid shot like the massive tax cut trump started his presidency with and macron defeated a white nationalist women in the presidential election because maybe more French voters that Americans actually understand what they are voting for.
So comparing polls numbers actually reveals that we still have too many voters in this country who don’t get it or are completely ok with the policies of trump and that is not a good sign.
At least in France more people have a critical mind and question their government
30
France and Europe can’t grow as other newest countries can do. There is nothing to do with having an educated, smart president. Especially compared to a 30 sec attention span, non educated one. Selfish and not understand that fires in Brazil will send CO2 all over the world and that no wall will stop it...
17
@luxembourg
Trump is a burnt out star who needs to be out of office in 20/20. At least Mr. Macron can speak in full sentences.
26
Perhaps it is the financial entities that engineered Mr. Macron’s political fortunes in France to date have also been mainly responsible for his “starring role in the G-7 Summit.
1
We get it we get it, america is bad waaaa. Move to France. Work for Macron, and stop making us feel bad about it.
4
Did you see and hear how Trump behaved? And you’re not embarrassed?
18
macron still has yellow vest protests going on.
So France is still mess economically.
4
"Mr. Macron has become the leading champion of European unity and multilateralism."
This is ridiculous and delusional. And his actions are apparently all bluster and no results.
His condencesding message to the Brazilians is just stupid.
Perhaps he better pay attention to France, first and foremost?
6
Towards what end? Who cares about Macron and France these days really?
Irrelevant at best.
4
We are interested because we can’t get over the difference between the way Macron behaves on the world stage and Trump.
15
@Blunt Who cares? You are not only really blunt but very dismissive. France is the most visited country in the world; the third largest economy in Europe; and the seventh largest in the world.
9
Macron reminds me of Buttigieg. They both know everything about everything. No, they are both lightweights. I remember that only two years ago, it was Angela Merkel that was heralded as the replacement for Trump because the liberal elite viewed her as a wise and kind leader. I am sure many readers wince when they recall that nonsense! Briefly, Justin Trudeau was heralded as the man who would attract attention from the horrible 'Orange Man'. Give me a break! At least Boris Johnson has no illusions of grandeur - he understands better than Macron that he would look ridiculous if he tried to 'big himself up'.
4
@Redneck
Boris is piloting his ship of state directly into an iceberg as fast as it can go. Yes he is ridiculous - much like Trump.
23
@Joe Runciter
Boris is doing great. I wish him and the UK well. Full steam ahead! Damn the icebergs!
I think Macron just wanted as little drama as possible so he could get a lot of hard work done. He knows no one listens to Trump anymore, not even his own advisors.
9
Om Macron, Britain, Europe
Macron is the #1 obstacle that Britain faces in negotiating a compromise exit. Macron's position is no compromise, no concessions. His motivation : Weaken the UK , move the profitable finance industry from London to Paris.
If you believe that the UK is part of Europe - and I do - and should remain in it according e.g. to the Norway model - and I do - than Macron is anti European as they come.
2
It is so important that the major and legitimate democracies of the world assert their maximum efforts to isolate Trump and to keep his destructive foreign, economic, environmental and military agendas in check. Under Trump and his political party, the U.S. is spearheading much of the world's chaos.
Kudos and God speed, Mr. Macron.
12
@ A Goldstein Well said. Frrench bashing in the US is astonishing. I guess a lot of Americans still have not gotten over the fact that French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dominique de Villepin, made it clear that France would not support nor participate in the disastrous American invasion of Iraq.
8
Every wannabe gets his five minutes of fame. The matchmaker will be turned on.
2
Come on farmers no matter what, your all at the minimum are land millionaires.how about worrying about someone else for a change.
Perhaps, if you paid a fair wage, American born would pick your crops.
1
DEAR FRANCE .
Macron is a Rock Star , he knows exactly how to play Trump. He is clearly the leader of the free world and an avowed Globalist 'Yeah ' .
That ladies who do lunch trick was a classic, stroke Trumps ego, by making him feel special .
The Populist can not win the war on our democracy . Vive la France , Vive Macron , et Madame Macron aussi.
11
Can he work part time on this side of the Pond?! Please?!
4
Macron is great. He's smart, affable, concerned with his nation and ignores Trump's insanity, as he should. Trump is a blithering bully with the IQ or road kill and the stability of Wiley Coyote.
Trump could learn much from Macron - like how to be man, how to be human, how to govern - but he won't. He listen to no one and still thinks that he knows "more than HIS Generals" and that he's a "stable genius". Mental illness must be wonderful if it results in delusion like that.
Macron has taken the scepter of Western leadership with the advent of Brexit and the descent of Merkle. It's in good hands if the French are smart enough to keep him and not fall for a fake populist takeover like 30% of Americans did,
I look forward to seeing him in action, especially with regard to environmental issues.
16
“We had a lunch that lasted for quite a while, just the two of us,” Mr. Trump said. “It was the best period of time we’ve ever had. We weren’t trying to impress anybody, just each other.”
I seriously doubt anyone was impressed by Trump the Chump.
8
Unfortunately for humanity, Macron is utterly alone, as Trump has NO capacity for recalling any aspect of this meeting after Wednesday.
4
French have one small problem in emerging leaders of the Free world. The French language.
Macron, for all his faults, is a bona-fide national (and world leader), who actually cares about the state of the world -- and his own country.
Trump is beyond a cartoon travesty of a joke as a "leader," politician, and human being. He cares about nothing other than his own ego, seeing his name in print and in photos with other (real) world leaders, and of course enriching himself, his family and his cronies through the most blatant corruption and conflict of interest in our nation's history.
And am I the only one who wondered why the (glaze-eyed) Melania was there in the photo while two world leaders were talking? Standing in for Ivanka?
11
The funny thing is that Donald cannot behave in that company like he does in his own country.
He knows he would be ridiculous.
He is only allowed to do it in the USA .
5
Trump seemed Low Energy
2
Merci, President Macron, for standing up to our Mad King Donald. At the G7, Trump showed, day after day, how he is Putin's poodle and incapable of leadership.
Chancellor Merkel is in the process of saying 'auf Wiedersehen' was pragmatic. Boris Johnson, a Trump Mini-Me, will be gone soon after his Brexit debacle. So it was good to see a French leader of the Free World emerge, to take on this unfocused, chaotic reality show host and his coterie of loyal clowns, on their visit to Biarritz. Please, Monsieur Macron, keep the defense strong until 2020. Help is on the way!
4
Yes...he had been assigned the task of babysitter for the big "blond" Baby. The job was to keep the Baby from having a hissy fit while the adults talked about important things. They didn't want him to have to be sent to the car to sit until one of his tantrums was over. And Macron did a fine job of it, limiting his unhinged outbursts to the press outside.
Since it seems Republicans don't want the Babysitter job for the Baby they brought into existence, it falls to the Baby's staff to try to keep him under some kind of control so he doesn't blow the entire Country up in the wake of one of his tantrums. The job has turned out to be a challenge that even multiple babysitters cannot seem to manage. Maybe we can soon send the Baby to his room...if not by impeachment, by the 2020 election. Vote Blue.
8
They should award Macron a Legion of Honor medal just for having to act as if he actually likes Donald Trump.
Can you imagine having to "play nice" with that five-star loser? I think if I ever had to meet Trump I'd probably get sick and throw up on his shoes.
6
Somebody had to be the adult. Trump and his childish tantrums are so old now; it is no longer worth talking about. Macron has emerged as a true leader on the international scene; and until Americans get a real leader of their own; you should be grateful that the French leader for at least a few days kept the circus from getting out of hand.
6
This phrases need to be remembered for younger generations, History does matter:
« to demonstrate that the “European civilization project” was an “answer” in a world searching for “global stability.”
“If we can’t redefine the terms of our sovereignty, we can’t defend our project,” Mr. Macron said to reporters before leaving for Biarritz. “Man is at the heart of the project,” he said, adding that the “relationship to the dignity of man, to humanism” was “the foundation of European civilization.” ».
3
Trump is consistent. He consistently lies and embarrasses this great country as its current occupant of the White House. The lie he told about Melania knowing Kim Jong Un was hilarious and a new personal low for him. Trump made his wife an unwitting accomplice. Trump’s infomercial for hosting the G7 next year at one of his properties is also consistent with Trump’s never ending quest to perpetrate fraud on this country and enrich himself.
6
I’m afraid our imbecilic President has soured us on what leadership and statesmanship look like. That’s the most generous response I can give a mushy piece that the Times would never have printed in its glory days.
Just because everything Trump does is for self-promotion doesn’t mean it is the motivation of a competent and effective head of state like M. Macron.
Macron was full of ambition— ambition to excel. How refreshingly normal.
10
He is in Obama’s league. Or even better. A very fine president.
7
Mr. Trump's G7 contribution?
Inviting the world leaders to his resort presumably so that he could occupy his time with a round of golf while playing hooky from those annoying meetings. Also, probably better access to watch FOX and get advice from Hannity.
4
With our climate change-denying polluter-in-chief awol from the session on climate change and global warming, with India and China burning coal by the megaton, with Trump’s soul brother, Bolsonaro, burning the Amazon, who is left to take some action? With America withdrawing from its allies and embracing autocratic regimes around the world, who is left to defend democracy?
Of course, Macron is a politician and so self-promotion is never far away. But I’d much rather have a self-promoting leader who values democracy, the environment and the rule of law than the self-promoting fascist who lives in the White House.
8
Query: Can’t ostensible billionaire and world class business man Donald J. Trump afford more than one tie? And next time, can he buy a few that don’t hang to his knees?
OK, this is petty, I know. But it’s a sight easier than trying to make sense of the erratic, irrational nonsense our so-called ‘president’ spouted during this year’s gathering of the G-7. Or should we be calling it the G-6 1/2, now that one of the seven nations is represented by an intellectual and emotional half-pint?
1
Donald is the black hole in the G6+1 summit. Macron steered away the G6 away from Donald's black hole. In one of the photos shows container vans in Shanghai of non perishable goods which can stood time. In contrast, agriculture products of our farmers rots for no buyers because of idiotic Donald's trade war against the rest of the world.
2
Climate change ... a “niche issue” ... living and breathing is “niche” ... give me strength.
11
Great job Prez Macron controlling our Bull in the China shop Prez and for looking out for the welfare of the planet while our huckster Prez Trump hawked his property for the next G7 . Always about what is best for Trump not for anyone else and his pandering to Putin confirms he is compromised by Putin.
6
“Grandiose and self-serving”? I’m not sure how you concluded that.
Macron was simply doing what had to be done. There is no leadership from the U.S. any more, Angela Merkel is on her way out, somebody has to take charge.
I appreciate that Macron stood up to take the lead, at the same time trying to keep trump from disrupting everything.
31
Since Trump is a climate denier the next G7 meeting should not be at Trumps Florida resort. That will just show the leaders are caving in and allowing Trump to continue his and the GOP denial that the world does not have a problem. I will not watch any of it if it is held on Trumps property.
12
Americans, or I should say, those who consider themselves progressives, perhaps because they're weary of Trump, have a warped view of what or rather who Emmanuel Macron is. Perhaps not as informed on the matter, they buy hook and sinker into what he wants to project: a young, dynamic global leader for the 21st century. Truth is: from immigration to economics, his neo-liberal policies are, in many ways, no different than Trump's. Some would say his policies favor the wealthy even more as he steadfastly refuses to tax the wealthy and corporations. After all, Trump never had to face violent protests at home on the scale of the Gilets Jaunes, which is on its 43rd week. Ask yourself why. And Trump has never polled at 22% which is as low as Macron sank at the height of the protests in December '18 and "the Benalla affair". He now sits at 30-34% depending on which poll you read and remains largely hated at home, needing opportunities like the G7 to showcase himself as the savior most French people know he's not.
4
@Eric
as a french I think you are entirely right
On Iran and China, President Trump had unnecessarily put himself in a dark impasse. I thank President Macron for helping our president to see the way out.
4
I was so thrilled and proud that Trump took the lead concerning all of the issues.
Well, one could hope he would take the lead, be the diplomat rather than having his twitter tantrums, spewing lies and complaining about Obama.
Someone needs to take the lead, to be the person to manage the gathering. Yes, Macron has his issues also, but, not to the extent of our toddler president. And Macron showed us an example of leadership that we have not seen for over two long years.
10
Sounds to me that Nossiter has an ax to grind.
Without Macron, it would have been Trumps one man show.
And that would have been catastrophic.
F3
12
These posts include comments about Napoleonic imperialism and German abdication of leadership in troubled Europe. Really? So who or what is preferable to French leadership if and when Merkel is gone? Are there alternatives out there from Spain, Portugal, Poland, Italy, Greece etc? Note that economies of two once-fierce and bitter rivals have been major factors in the political and economic sanity of Europe which also greatly helped the peace process in Ireland to the relief of the UK. WIth Brexit and possibly Merkel gone (I hope not), Europe needs a knowledgeable leader from one of their leading economies. It is obvious to everybody as to who pulled the rabbit out of the G-7 hat.
9
Macron trades his approval in France for his seeming condescension to trump. Trump was seen as a joke in Europe; now he’s seen as a mortal threat to the whole world, and macron’s diplomatic gestures will not result in anything concrete. It’s like negotiating with jello.
5
Trump has created a mighty vacuum of leadership in the world. Hopefully someone will step up.
12
(1/1)
President Macron of France caved to Trump. From the start Macron said “I know the points of disagreement with the U.S. (Trump) ,” Given the cheap character of Trump, Mr. Macron whined that the Group 7 would not issue its usual joint statement, known as a communiqué. “It’s pointless.” At the last G7 in Canada, Trump refused to sign the communique and walked out, shaming the office of the POTUS with his tantrums, obstructions and name-calling of the leaders of our allies. And the world was no better-off for the 2018 summit.
@Sendan Caving or facing the reality the toddler would not sign anything...
1
President Macron is a superb international diplomat.
But it will all come to nothing if he can't win the support of French voters.
Mr Trump on the other hand is a truly dreadful diplomat but.....
10
Macron seemed to wisely put Trump in a high chair (with a rattle so he could annoy people) but off to the side, away from the adults and the cameras until the meetings were all concluded. Then he let Trump have a hissy fit for all the world to see.
31
Tres bon, M. Macron. Someone has to lead; Trump can't, won't or both.
25
As the US has relinquished it’s leadership role in the world other countries are vying for the role. Macron seems to be the most ambitious one. Can’t blame them.
10
Macron is a talented politician but his economic policies are the same as Trumps.
From the blog of Thomas Piketty (Capital in the 20th Century)
"It is customary to contrast Trump and Macron: on one hand the vulgar American businessman with his xenophobic tweets and global warming scepticism; and on the other, the well-educated, enlightened European with his concern for dialogue between different cultures and sustainable development...But if we take a closer look at the policies being implemented, one is struck by the similarities."
"The rate of corporation tax will gradually be reduced from 33% to 25%; a lower rate of 30% will be introduced for dividends and interest , the wealth tax will be abolished for the largest financial and business wealth holders holders (while the real estate tax has never been as high for the less wealthy).
For the first time since the Ancien Régime it has thus been decided in both countries to set up an explicitly derogatory system of taxation for the benefit the categories of income and wealth held by the most affluent social groups"
Thomas Piketty
As to pro European, Macron is indeed pro European - as long as it is a Europe led by France. And no one else
Thus, France under Macron has become the leader of no compromise, hard Brexit group in Brussels
Ms. Merkel, on the other hand is the leader of the pro Britain, soft exit, compromise willing group.
9
@talesofgenji And Trump is pro-Trump. And Macron has shown a little more, well, adulthood, in his actions while Trump has shown the world-nothing-aside from trade wars that will affect all of the industrial nations.
7
Macron is not pro European. Macron has stalled EU accession efforts for Turkey, Macedonia, Albania,Montenegro,Serbia etc, making it easy for these countries to become Russian satellites and giving Russia access to the Mediterranean. Not so much pro europe if you were to ask me..
3
@Al Wrong. The problem with Europe is mixing the European Union with NATO. All under pressure from the USA. Russia IS part of Europe, the US is NOT.
Bravo! A real leader indeed!
27
Ironically, despite this, his poll ratings are still 9-11 points lower at home than Trump's are in the U.S. What does that say about Macron?
5
Nothing. But it speaks volumes about Americans.
24
@DC
What does it say about the US that someone like Trump is so popular?
18
@DC
It says that the French expect a lot from their president. But, ironically, despite all of Trump’s vulgar tone and foolishness, he still has pretty high approval rates. What does that say about his supporters?
10
I'm glad someone responsible is stepping up to the plate as Leader of the Free World, since Trump demolished the tradition of US presidents serving that role.
49
I suppose, like a patient au pair, Macron's handling of Trump at G7 was a good thing. It prevented the latter from embarrassing us further on the world stage. This is not the way the United States should be represented, however. Despite our vast economy and power, we have been pressed into the mold of a third-world nation, cast as an impetuous and unreliable international partner who must be managed rather than given full respect as an equal. How sad for us in at least two ways: Firstly, that the electorate abetted it despite the warning signs and secondly, given his performance, that the man's own party now declines to acknowledge the difference between leadership and chicanery.
31
With the forthcoming loss of Merkel, Macron is filling the gap. It is fortunate that he took leadership at the Summit and helped steer our man/child President thru the weekend as bored as he was with so much adult talk
35
Excuse me but what's the difference between Macron's European civilisation project and French imperialism? I'd love to know.
4
@Vivien French imperialism ?
You date about 2 centuries. And when France was en Empire, justice and education were much higher than in the British Empire or the German Empire.
6
@Vivien, Unlike most Imperial projects, including those of your nation (past), this one is conducted with willing partners, and those who change their minds are free to leave.
8
Huh? Macron is the saviour for "traditional Western values"?
You mean like steamrolling the new undemocratic continental empire known as the EU? More like traditional Napoleonic values.
3
@Ted George You forget about Trump's "Napoleonic Values" in having a tantrum over Greenland.
3
While Emmanuel Macron may not yet be a seasoned leader, he stepped up and provided some fresh, forward momentum.
Mother Nature is giving the world plenty of warning concerning impending catastrophes while many world leaders appear unconscious to the probabilities. The world's pettiness has been center stage with a consistent lack of respect and responsibility highlighted by self serving individuals. There is high value to being in the bridge building business rather than in
fence construction enterprises.
"Whats mine is mine, and what's yours is mine also." That old phrase denoting greed can now be viewed differently.
6
Trump's aides call climate change a "niche" issue? Omg, what planet do these guys think they live on??
72
Poor Macron
First the yellow vests
Now the yellow heads; Donald and Boris
Perfect he is not
But all we have left against right wing nationalism.
25
Donald Trump is incompetent and incapable of “running the show” at home. Why would anyone imagine he might do better on the world stage?
The man is an embarrassment, and the country’s reputation may never be restored.
43
@Christopher The reputation may be restored given someone other than Trump is president and time has passed for the sour taste of Trump to dissipate.
3
It's kind of pathetic that Macron would have to flatter the overweening narcissist who is the current occupant of the white house just to achieve a modicum of civility, but then, Macron is waayyy smarter.
63
I thought that Macron did a stellar job of containing Trump and thusly having a relatively calm and contained G7 meeting. Even more important than keeping the blustering bully at bay was Macron's guided efforts to keep diplomacy, multilateralism and liberal values alive and well.
We will have to continue to look to Macron for leadership with Trump in his own world corner. I am appreciative of his efforts.
51
We desperately need a world body like the United nations but with the power to do things like claim the Amazon as a protected environment vital to the planet's health, not belonging to the political winds of one nation. I am sorry if this offends sovereignty but we are heading into a climate crisis if not there already beyond much control. That Bolsonaro and Trump may consider this a side issue, something to barter or bargain over, proves some concerted action is necessary on the part of the Euro nations at least.
Macron's deft handling of Trump, that he had to handle him in such a way, is shameful.
20
Macron is young and ambitious, his main dream appears to be becoming the first leader of the United States of Europe and France surpassing Germany in the EU vanguard.
2
Why do the powers that be want to denigrate Macron for this well organized, well thought out, well produced conference? This article is slanted in a way that is not helpful to the cause of peace and sanity.
32
What is it about the French that always seem to rattle the NYT reporters? The language is always tinged with disapproval or sarcasm, no matter who it is what it is. Jealousy? Inferiority complex? Consistently so. Same with French films, NYT critics often seem to indulge in excessive negative reviews. ( only to appear ignorant sometimes) Lack of cultural understanding? Language barrier? They don't seem to do that to other west European politicians. The French is always the target of mockery. Meanwhile from Bush to Trump, from Freedom Fries to French wine, these seem to be the extent of things French they know. It doesn't help that Macron 's level of eloquence,political sophistication and intelligence is way way above anyone in the Trump administration. Sad.
64
International high level meetings need at least if not always to promote significant agreements like arms control, climate planning, economic breakthrough's proposals towards more equality and incremental arrangements for peace. In the case of the last G7 we've to admit the entry level for advances was low. Why? Well, it's an oxymoron but the White House doesn't have anymore the level of someone like Obama at its helm. The Trump era with the Bolton, the Kudlow, the Bannon, Karl Rove, etc has been a real shock to the world, and consequentially since 2017 - 18 the economy at large has been deteriorating. Mr Macron gave a brilliant performance in this setting preventing further incomprehension and his skills have to be credited in the context of high European values. Next year, many believe in Florida, the G7 would be rather ignored, perhaps passed like an entertainment show if at all...
6
Guess he didn’t have much success with Brazil.
3
He did nothing for the Amazon. A colossal failure. The rest is noise.
7
Ok. So, the Macron press takedown begins. Why? At a time when the US/ Israel have been scheming to go to war with Iran; last week’s Russian nuclear mishaps that killed several scientists (Russia denies) and yet also launching a “floating” nuclear reactor on its way right now to the Arctic; the refugee crisis in Europe and the US, climate change, the tariff war and growth of nationalism across the world, isn’t it great that he managed all the crazies -see below- with diplomatic ease?
Just think about the impact of Trump’s bizarre, hallucinogenic “G6 + 1” press conference. Clearly, Trump knows nothing, understand nothing, lies about everything and ultimately is “extremely” dangerous.
We’re living in a “Guns of August” period all over again (pre WW I). With the UKs buffoon Prime Minister, Boris Johnson (who had a divine revelation while swimming in the Biarritz bay and saw a rock with whole in it that he interpreted as a sign that Brexit had an opening to decouple - hu?; pyromaniac Trump and vulture assassin Putin lurking to destroy the EU, isn’t good that the EU has a semblance of cohesion?
36
Hats off to the new Leader of the Free World. Impressed by his diplomacy. Great job!
35
Macron came out of the G-7 meetings as the de facto leader of the countries that make up the EU. He also proved to be very effective at managing the meeting so as to get as much done as possible without the constant incoherence of Trump disrupting the agenda.
As an American I am horrified to think of what our President may do to disrupt our alliances as he travelds. As an American I am horrified Trump has so abused our allies that Macron has had to step into the void of leadership we have provided over the decades. As an American, I am relieved that someone stood up and at least spared us and the world another three days of constant embarrassment and disruptions by our President. President Macron at least spared us those indignities.
34
Note to Democratic Candidates, notice how skillfully Macron manipulated Trump. The Donald didn't even realize he was being upstaged, all he could think about is booking rooms at his hotel!
22
@Matthew Daniel
Funny
I was delighted that Mr. Macron stepped into the vacancy that was produced by our brilliant president. The world will continue to march on and the democrats will continue to reassure Europe that a new day is fast approaching.
I never wished for my life to pass so quickly but I can not wait till 20/20 arrives. The GOP has put another hater out on the world stage Joe Walsh and his past videos are a must see. Just in case you had forgotten about the ignorant tea party members.
It was a joy to listen to Mr. Macron. He made sense and when Trump spoke I thought I was listening to a child trying to explain reality vs his delusional reality. The Amazon is burning and we have the empty chair it was priceless.
23
American leadership has traditionally been the bulwark of the Western alliance. Donald Trump has thrown this concept into the garbage. Someone has to take up this position as the world moves forward, albeit into new and very dangerous territory. Give credit to President Macron for stepping up to face these challenges.
212
@Howard Herman Trump threw away America's position as world leader; we are now world zero. Macron gets big credit for trying. Trump is a lead weight pulling the world down to chaos
30
As politics becomes less relevant and our nation forcefully asserts our frailty, it is nice to see that adults might enter the room. We ignore that it is the financial institutions aided by the new surveillance giants that drive and control global society. Politics, to a large degree, is theatrics.
72
All we need is a leader here with 25 percent of Macron's poise, dignity, diplomacy and moral compass. It doesn't seem to be too much to ask.
57
It's fascinating that Trump thought he could keep the US out of world affairs, but in the Post WWII world, that is not possible because someone else simply assumes the role. That person is Macron. He is the new leader of the free world. He is trying to make Trump palatable to world leaders the way US presidents once treated others.
16
Positioned himself? Macron, as leader of the host country, was doing his job, and very well, thank you very much!
61
NYT Adam Nossiter should be in op ed page, not news page.
"Macron missed NO opportunity (not even one?) to wring EVERY ADVANTAGE from his role as host of the summit....."
and...the PERFECT stage to pursue his AMBITION, both GRANDIOSE and SELF SERVING, to position France, and himself, as candidates to fill the vacancy left by Mr. Trump’s retreat from traditional Western values."
Nossiter's prose sounds rather grandiose and exaggerated.
What motivates this?
Macron, not perfect, and with all France's complicated politics problems, is an intelligent, educated, sophisticated adult. He responded to the yellow vest protests, and promised reforms.
Macron beat rw Marine Le Pen in the election.
America voted in the worst president in its history.
France has decades of health care for all, that our politicians can't accomplish yet.Here, Americans should be marching in the streets every day demanding our govt respond to our crucial needs.
So, how should Macron or any EU leader respond to the American Tsar Trump the Terrible as he insults democracy itself?
It's a hard job being Macron or Merkel today.
58
You make a very valid and salient point which I absolutely agree with @Meredith, it really appears that the author has an axe to grind or personal problem with Macron.
I would also point out that the author’s translation of Macron’s response to Bolsarino’s odious commentary about his spouse inaccurately gives the impression of a flippy and pompous reply which it is not .
23
@Meredith
Because the author, being based in France probably knows that a lot of Macron's image did ride on this. This is a president whose popularity is far below Trump's at home. From 26% positive opinion in Dec 28th at the height of the Gilets Jaunes protests to 34% today (with up to 3pts margin of error), Macron is largely hated by his own people and only won the presidential election by default to ward off far-right candidate Marine Le Pen (and after the right-wing favorite Francois Fillon saw his campaign derailed by a corruption scandal), so any show Macron can put on on a larger world stage can only benefit his poor standing among the French, who are just as skeptical as Americans about a biased press covering up for Macron in the most flagrant acts of "courtisanerie" possible. Everything is theater for Macron and what better stage than the world's cameras?
1
@Meredith
Well said
3
If this is true, then what we are witnessing is the beginning of the end of American prominence on the world stage, as predicted.
15
In the absence of leadership from the US, humans owe a debt of gratitude to Macron. But pleading with Bolsonaro simply doesn't go far enough.
Make believe your kid needed insulin (like all of us need oxygen) but 20% of the world supply was being decimated by one man. You'd try persuasion to get that man to provide insulin. You'd offer to pay, but if all else fails, do you let your kid die?
I submit you don't. The Amazon may be located in Brazil, but its oxygen belongs to all of humanity. The coalition that SHOULD form is military and in no uncertain terms, TELL Brazil to put out the fires or the coalition will.
13
Mr. Macron, the adult in the room. If only his skills included hypnotism and mind control.
29
And of course mini-Trump Johnson of the UK, just an irrelevance, with most world leaders (apart from Trump) no longer regarding the UK as having anything influential or worthwhile to say, as they foolishly divorce themselves from the EU.
27
Sure Macron stole the show but at least our fearless leader was all-in, front and center for the family photo. Such a charmer! So on top of his game when gibberish and forced smiles are on the agenda.
9
@BillOReits
Trump and Boris should not be so eager to have their pictures taken. They looked like water buffalo. those two never miss a meal.
I never would say anything about Trumps weight but since he made fun of a person at his rally by telling him to go home and exercise, Trump should look in the mirror.
Boris is in way over his head and offered nothing of substance to the meeting. Thank you Mr. Macron
12
Inasmuch as I don't always agree with Président Macron's domestic policies, as a Franco American I can only congratulate him for the " tour de force" he has accomplished with his American counterpart. He not only organized and hosted the G7 very aptly but he also managed to use a lunch with this American president in order to lecture him. This was not just a casual meal under a sun umbrella in Biarritz, it was a warning about important issues: Iran, trade, climate change....Unfortunately the Stable Genius in our midst did not get the sign and went off script to destabilize, contradict and offend as he always does. What does he know about Iran, trade and climate change? The picture of the arrival of the Iranian leader and the empty chair at the G7 climate change meeting say it all. Especially when the leaders of Germany and India were partaking in that meeting. Oh but wait... weren't they supposed to be meeting with the American president? OOPS...
22
@SDW... I agree with you entirely. Macron played with the very high level Europe is showing in a very consistent way after disastrous wars in its soil. The special invitee list including Iran (magistral), India, Egypt, Chile was very well accepted. What do you think will happen about next year G7 (or G8?) in Trump's Florida resort?
3
@José Ramón Herrera
Merci beaucoup Mr. Herrera, I think next year's G8 summit should be just a G2 if Russia accepts the challenge and pays for its accommodations. Everyone else should just boycott. If only Congress could help us and say NO categorically to this idea.
It is so obvious that # 45 wants to line his pockets with that idea. No one should fall for it.
Very slanted article. Macron acted like a smart and obliging host, and was ready to use diplomacy at the fullest to quell personalities as well as world problems as best possible. That he may also have personal ambitions is no fault in a politician, when that ambition answers an important void. This article is completely off, and needs to reverse the point of view.
39
Maybe when I go on vacation to France this Fall, I'll apply for political asylum on the basis of being a liberal democrat.
38
@Jeff
Take me with you!
10
@Jeff: I’ll carry your bags!
2
I was incredibly impressed with Mr. Macron as a leader and host of the summit.
I can see him being an effective bulwark against the Anti-Western ideology that continues to find root in dark corners in Europe and here at home now that Germany seems to be ceding their position of leadership.
We need more leaders like Macron.
118
We need leaders like Macron who knows what going on and doesn't run from the challanges we face. He is someone who is willing to conceed to common sense populus demands and has the diplomatic skills to create peace in our unsettled world. Why disparge him for taking full advantage to do so?
52
I wish President Macron had responded to Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro's by saying "I love my beautiful wife, but you are correct your wife is truly astonishinly beautiful -- more beautiful than anyone could possibly imagine would have a husband who looks and behaves like you. It is most astonishing."
But then decent people still are rightfully constrained by civility.
29
MACRON 2020
He’ll beat the trifecta of Biden, Warren, and Sanders.
19
What Macron terms "error in reasoning" is actually a total absence of reason and intelligence on our president's part. Even with his innumerable, intractable domestic problems such as the Yellow Vest Movement, Macron looked like a star next to 45. Wouldn't anyone?
26
Why do world leaders like Macron--and even Queen Elizabeth, it seems, find it necessary to "sate Trump's ego?" It seems that only the Mayor of London stands up to Trump, refusing to placate or flatter him.
30
So proud of him, frankly I didn't expect it from him. He stepped up when we are falling behind
23
Good to see an “adult” at the G7.
While The Honorable Macron is taking initiative and leading the way diplomatically....
Individual 1 is saying “ if you think this place is nice, I got this great place in Florida.... the biggest ballrooms in Florida!”
Simply embarrassing!
But kudos to Mr. Macron!
53
Macron and Trudeau are the G7 studs. of course, that is not hard when the rest of the male attendees are decades older. Trump looks like their crazy grandfather. I bet if they want to talk about him in front of him, they can just switch to French to talk about how Trump isn't keeping his woman satisfied in the 'amour' department!
15
Macron didn't have to position himself. The role came to him because he is sane and a moderate. Trump is insane it shows in every word and action including his schlumfing gate when he walks. Boris Johnson is a blowhard taking the UK on a path of destruction with no clue as he's doing it. Merkel would the logical next leader but she's pulled back by the fact that she will be leaving office on a pre-arranged date and the rest of the members don't have enough prestige to assume the role.
The leaders of the free world at this point are France and Germany not the US. We are an embarrassment. We've lost our standing in the world because we've allowed a festering pustule named Trump to damage us as a nation.
71
How embarrassing to be a citizen in a nation where the only child in the G 7 room was our President.
39
President Emmanuel Macron's deft coddling of the tempestuous toddler tyrant was extraordinary.
I am American grateful everyday to be living living in France. We moved before the creation of Donald Trump the TV character, a "successful" businessman. We only knew Trump from New York as a sleazy self-promoting hustler buoyed by inherited wealth, a confidence trickster covering up spectacular business failures with lawyers and serial bankruptcies. It is tragic to witness the Republican enabled carnage in America and the world.
President Emmanuel is gracious, well educated and far more intelligent than Trump. Trump masks his lack of intelligence with cruelty. He is propped up by the Republicans, and they are running out of cover for his daily displays of ignorance and incompetence.
The New York times produced measured and truthful picture about the yellow vest movement in France. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/11/podcasts/the-daily/france-yellow-vests-macron.html
41
Trump is so out of his league. He probably has some mental health issues as well.
25
@Joe—a gross understatement, but unfortunately all too true!
17
The contrast between Macron, an intelligent, educated, informed leader and an absolutely ignorant, unintelligent, vulgar fool is embarrassing for the US.
97
Agreed but unfortunately the fool matters and the well-educated polite man does not.
8
For now. I think the Trump era signifies the beginning of the decline of US power.
1
When it is in your country, you plan it and it is your agenda, so you become the star of the show. I can only imagine what a colossal waste of time next years meeting on Trump's golf course will be.
25
@Bill
No doubt he'll serve cheeseburgers (still in their wrappers) French fries (in boxes) under heat lamps.
9
@Margo Channing
Thank you! I needed a good laugh today!
1
Before we give Macron a gold star, let's remeber his approval rating (improved as it is) is at about 32% among the citizens of France. Trump's is about 40% among the citizens of the US. So as for moving the ball forward for the world on nationalism, climate change, trade, etc. Macron has a long way to go. The best that can be said is that he avoided a disaster when France played host to the G-7.
3
I fear you compare apple with oranges.
For starters France has a multi-partisan system.
There are at least 6 main parties, and quite a few smaller ones.
The mathematical consequence is that approval ratings such as a bi-partisan system like the USA know are exceedingly rarely achieved.
You also neglect to take in account the very real psychological differences between the average french voter and the average american voter.
We tend to expect a lot from our governement and leaders and, after a very brief "honey moon", are very swift to blame them for the lack of miracles...
We also do not easily "rally" behind anyone, at least since Napoleon and to a lesser and brief extend de Gaulle.
But you do not need take my word for it, search for "cote de popularité" online and you can see for yourself that the 3 last presidents before Macron, for example, registered scores as low as 16 (Chirac II), 20 (Sarkozy) and even 11 (Hollande).
15
@I.Keller. ok. That still doesn't make him a hero on the world stage. I accept all your helpful information.
@James Ricciardi... You really missed the point her. It has nothing to do with ratings or scores by press or fundraisers. It's about reality and the world stage in this G7 was at stakes, either world failure or... brilliant leadership.
2
Can't blame Macron for seizing center stage, especially on his home turf. With the U.S. and the U.K. flailing, and other countries tilting this way and that, thank goodness someone stepped in to play the adult who wants to get something done.
30
Macron is a moderate and a statesman (the two go hand in hand, really). He will succeed Merkel as the de facto leader of Western Europe.
18
In regard to Brexit/No Deal Brexit, it is noteworthy as well that Macron has demonstrated far more concern for the consequences for peace on the island of Ireland than his British counterpart.
In a meeting last week with journalists, Mr Macron implied that Mr Johnson did not take seriously enough the risk of reviving the conflict in Ireland.
“There are still families whose children, brothers and sisters died in this conflict,” the French president said. “To think of reviving that, because it suits us, would be irresponsible. I consider that Irish peace is European peace. We must not allow it to be threatened by a political and institutional crisis in Britain.” He might have leveled the same critique at Trump who is gung-ho for a No Deal Brexit and deludes London with a promise of a prompt "bigly" trade deal.
18
"Early in the weekend Mr. Trump’s aides complained that the agenda that Mr. Macron set focused more on what they called “niche issues” like climate change than on global economic challenges."
Climate change is a niche issue? Yes, tell me that when we can no longer breathe the air, drink the water, or eat the food. Tell me how "niche" that all is. Tell me how important other global challenges are then.
Merci, Macron for keeping your eye on the ball. And thank you for babysitting our incompetent president.
85
That caught my eye, too. Climate change is a "niche issue "? Omg. What planet do these guys think they live on?
11
@Lillies... and don't forget about fighting inequality in our societies... in the U.S. it's awful ...
3
@Lillies: Climate change as a niche issue reminds me of the 1970s when politicians called women a “special interest” group.
4
World leaders met and they didn’t discuss alarming conditions in Yemen, Palestine, Kashmir, Syria etc. They didn’t condemn Modi for house arresting 7.5 million people and cutting them from the rest of the world by cutting all means of communication. They laughed, cheered, had nice meals and went back home. They were more concerned about Amazon forest fire then conditions in Kashmir.
This proves that these leaders who give morality lessons to others on daily basis have no morals at all. They have no concerns of humans suffering unless they get some kind political or financial benefit. Economic ties are more important for them then cutting ties from someone who’s butchering humans. If he (Modi) has nothing to hide, then let the International media go and report from the ground. He didn’t even let his opposition leader visit Kashmir and laughs with Trump and says, “situation is under control.”
We won’t need Amazon forest if we can’t stop the unjust bloodshed of humans. Our grandchildren’s won’t see this planet because someone might get up and take their live as a revenge. Mass shootings, terrorist attacks are increasing because we don’t focus on humanity anymore and don’t give justice to people.
Sad.
6
@UY
Maybe the world leaders talked among themselves before the summit and decided that it was more prudent to avoid an open conflict with Trump. In other words, that Trump was unpredictable when he gets mad and that would put the world in greater danger than any "niche" problem.
SAD!
3
Sure, Macron has some issues - I think his pride is a little too overweening- but I would take him in a heartbeat over the ill-tempered child currently masquerading as US president.
26
Macron has plenty of cats to skin. China and Russia are elbow deep into France's old colonies in Africa, for instance. He will need Trump's help there. And Trump can help him with Boris and Brexit although I will need a few voddies at The Monocle to arrive at a cogent analysis.
Macron may have starred, but it clearly was a grade "B" movie performance that had nothing to show for it except a relatively restrained Trump. Unfortunately, the only real way to restrain Trump is with a straitjacket, but neither world nor domestic leaders are willing to call out the mentally unstable raging narcissist who is rattling the global economy, pushing the world toward an irrecoverable climate catastrophe, destroying the stability of the post-World War II global alliances and then making a bold-faced attempt to continue his relentless greed for self-enrichment by proposing the next G-7 meeting at his Miami Doral resort.
16
@Paul Wortman
Well said!
8
I am an American living in France and I admire Mr Macron, not only for his performance as the host of this year’s summit but also for the initiatives he is trying to advance in France. He is a true Leader - he has a vision on the economy, the environment, security and the future of the EU and he is executing on that vision, step by step. The impacts will be slow in coming, as with all large scale change initiatives, but they are coming. He is respectful, intelligent, thoughtful, diplomatic but also tells it like it is when necessary. It is refreshing to live in a country with a Leader one can be proud of.
With regards to the article itself, I found it to be highly slanted with unnecessary barbs of Mr Macron that were not borne out in the subsequent description of events. Who is this author and what qualifies him to ‘analyse’ Mr Macron’s performance in such a manner? This is an opinion piece at best. An annoying read except for the joy in reading all the comments from those who see the good in Mr Macron.
149
@American Living In France
Hi - ALIF - Brilliant and on the mark. Thank you.
31
@American Living In France
On the button! Macron is an outstanding leader and it was a delight to see him at work in Biarritz. Good grief: the stamina, the intellect, the boldness. Bravo Monsleur le Président!
An American Living In Belgium
36
@American Living In France, I totally agree with you. I'm also an American living in France. Mr. Nossiter's Macron bashing--gratuitous, as you point out--should be reserved for the op ed page.
9
He's a moderate. That helps more than anybody can imagine. He's not tied to an orthodoxy and advocacy groups that push agendas not always beneficial to the people.
46
On the domestic front, Macron achieved a dazzling performance by recovering with immense skill from the crisis of "yellow vests", early this year.
There is no credible opposition today, able to compose an alternative majority to its pro-business line, focused on important tax changes, labor law, pensions, vocational training reforms, and its struggle against the corporatism that hinders the French economy.
Its strength lies in a resilient corpus of mostly graduated, urban and motivated voters.
The pro-European line of his policy is appreciated, in view of the troubles provoked by his English and Italian neighbors because of the populist policies followed.
And of course the presence of an unpredictable "ally" like Trump, or rude and sometimes unfriendly neighbors like Putin and Erdogan also internally reinforce his leadership position.
And finally, the French institutional system gives him, in view of the situation, the greatest chances of being reelected for a second term in 2022, with the necessary parliamentary majority to pursue his objectives.
55
@Svecan
Macrn not precisely pro European - he is the leader of Europe's pro-hard Brexit group. Ms Merkel, on the other hand is trying to accommodate Britain.
2
@Svecan
Domestic Front - Gilets jaunes -- Obviously you know that everything picks up after "la rentrée". Macron didn't recover from the movement; he threw a bone or two and declared a truce because our police forces were exhausted.
Credible opposition on the left are the greens and Mme Le Pen hasn't exactly walked off into the sunset.
The REM party is plowing along with a reduction in services and presence of the State in rural areas. Rents in Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux and Toulouse are extremely high and yet wages are and have been stagnant for too long.
Junker and the Germans will do any and everything to keep their hegemony in the EU. With Brexit, don't count on Macron with his hard stance to be appreciated by the immense number of Brits that live in France.
French political institution - since we moved to a 5 year Presidential mandate (previously 7), both the right wing (Sarkozy) and left wing (Hollande) presidents served only one term. He might be reelected in a redux of 2002 and 2017 -- when the Le Pens were the run off opposition. That hardly guarantees that he'll have a parliamentary majority given how politics has shifted in the 5th Republic these last 20 years.
2
“Mr. Macron appeared always respectful, sharply curbing his own tendency for long-winded, abstract explanations that might have irritated Mr. Trump.”
Just keep pretending the American President is a child and not a full grown man and things will go so much more smoothly! Stop trying to get him involved with complicated matters that we all know he’s too stupid to handle. Give him a cookie and put him to bed. No more abstract explanations!
231
@Selena
I'm surprised Trump can muster the mental facility to tie his own shoes.
3
How is exercising diplomacy and dealing with some of the most crucial issues facing the world grandiose and self-serving? Is the Times joining in Trump’s extended sulk?
104
@Juliet Wittman
Agreed! Macron's tactics served not so much himself, but the work of the summit. From what I saw of the coverage, especially the joint press session with Macron and Trump, Macron was also respectful and diplomatic....not grandiose.
Is there still in the US (remembering the "Freedom Fries" revolt years ago) residual resentment of things French ? If so, quel dommage!
29
Good lord, what a slanted article. Macron was the host and behaving like a leader, while our president, by comparison, was either absent or behaving like a fool.
267
@KC
Slanted?
No, quite truthful and factual. Trump is always a negative contrast to anyone intelligent and strong.
4
I'm so confused by this story and the headline...first, is it a news story, news analysis, or opinion, all three seem present. The author appears to 'report' that Macron was everywhere doing things to help but then he accuses Macron of self promoting, is that his opinion or it that news or what? As a world leader on the world stage you get lot's of attention how do you avoid that and why does this author get to call it self promoting on Macron's part. I'm grateful to Macron for bringing attention to world issues that we desperately need to address and fix and not just let Trump filibuster about wanting Putin back in the G7. The headline implies that Macron wants to be a star, uh, I think he was doing his job.
176
@CMW
The NY Times has become a click-bait publication. The headlines are mostly distasteful now, for all the reasons you mention. Their sleazy angles make me not want to read the articles, again for all the reasons you mention. Thankfully, once you get into the articles, you start to get more clean sips of quality journalism. Aside from those who have sold out, I feel bad for the writers struggling to maintain their integrity.
6
Macron was certainly the “chosen one” this time.
50
Big deal. It's not hard to look like a forward looking, insightful figure when compared to "Mexico will pay for the wall" cadet bone spurs and "we'll fund the national health service" bore johnson.
16
Macron was described as a parent successfully shepherding a tantruming toddler through a public event. Nobody got hurt. Nothing was broken. Just lots of collective sighs and rolling eyes.
This is beyond an embarrassment.
180
Macron played Trump like a fiddle... but of course so do Putin and Kim. The timing of the Iran meeting was a diplomatic stroke of genius, however. Good one Emmanuel! All the while Trump appeared bored, bothered, put upon, or just bobbleheaded.
As Americans we can be so collectively proud that our fearless leader skipped the environmental discussion and felt the need to lie about skipping it. What's one more lie anyway, their have been so many.
All the while Trump-emulator Bolsonaro lets the Amazon burn and refused foreign assistance. He was piqued at Macron's insensitivity to his deforestation of Brazil's Amazon. We can all under stand that, gasp, gasp!
203
@Phil Zaleon - Our Dear Leader is played by whomever is sitting next to him, if they've figured out how to schmooze him in a way that gets agreement.
But don't be surprised if everything changes once the crazy cabinet is back in the room with Dear Leader.
10
@Phil Zaleon
Trump's resorts are infested with bedbugs. He's been sued, lost and had to pay up.
That seems a suitable punishment.
Well, that and Melania puckering her lips as if to bestow a kiss.
Jolly good fun! LOL
1
Vive la France!
Macron - the leader of the free world.
Watching the American demise.
102
Yes, Macron is not well liked in his own land. That is because the French, as usual, refuse to be reformed into good sense policies. De Gaulle was about the only one who was able to make permanent changes to French habits and even he only lasted a decade.
13
Macron is a typical graduate of the elite, yet balanced, French educational system. Suffice to say that at the tender age of 19, he was for one year an assistant to the important French post-structuralist philosopher Paul Ricoeur, who also had a significant career in US academia. Such a background helps in giving a panoramic view of events.
80
The title of this article comports with neither the content of said article nor the reality of the summit. Macron did not position himself as "Star of the G7" so much as he did versatile leader and gracious host. As a New Yorker maried to a Frenchman and living in the U.S., I am grateful for his vision and his dipomacy.
209
Sorry: *diplomacy*
16
I watched Mr. Macron's interview with a French journalist and admired his grasp of a multitude of situations. He does not shy away from complexity and refuses to be Twittered into a caricature. "Numbing detail" and "long winded" might also be seen as thoughtful, logical, well-prepared, passionate, and respectful of the audience's intelligence in a non-reality-TV world.
282
Thank you Joelle, I thought as well while watching the interview.
24
@Joelle Yes I guess you hint of the interview yesterday evening on France2 with Anne-Sophie Lapix, yes indeed. I confess, me too, if even I was not fan of Emmanuel Macron at the beginning, I am impressed by his ability of mastery for tackling all problems and situations. It is true yesterday evening, he was excellent. He has a lot of patience. He do never display anger or annoyance.
11
Macron might start with championing a European approach to providing military security to Western Europe so that US military forces no longer will be needed. The Western European countries collectively and by themselves more than outweigh Russia in military aged population, industrial strength, wealth and technical know-how. There is absolutely no rational excuse for depending on the US to provide their military security in any category of weaponry. This is 2019, not 1945!
12
@Penseur
You're completely right. While President Trump does not seem to understand the actual mechanics of NATO, he is correct in asserting that Europe relies too heavily on American defence capabilites to underpin European defence.
From a European perspective, it would be gratifying if Europe were able to bolster it's own defence capabilites, not the least because President Trump has demonstrated the US's reliability as a European ally. A stronger European defence policy would allow Europe (which is collectively the world's largest economy) to extricate itself from always having to support the US's interests, which are no longer guaranteed to be synonymous with Europe's.
18
@Chris and @Penseur : Further, if Europe continues to “pick up their share of the tab” it might lead to the EU developing their armaments supply. Less dependence on purchasing weapons and material from the US could lead to the US to begin to diversify our economy out of the military-industrial-complex which it has evolved to. Infrastructure, anyone?
7
might be easier with UK leaving. GB blocked any beginning of common defence.
6
At a time when the world needs a unifying voice, he is all that we have. He is not even that well liked in his own country. It is a sad statement of the state of the world, but true.
22
Love the ending to the article. A public spectacle that tickles everyone in the right places and also gives the public hope that a multinational approach is still alive and kicking. Can't wait to see if all this carousing will translate into action. The latest Brazilian retort might be an unfortunate sign of more to come.
10
@Ivan
Good point. The reason the G7 should be more than a daddy daycare success is to grow confidence in countries that truly are at the mercy of global climate change, economic implosion, and imminent war fueled by ideology.
"Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity."
WB Yeats THE SECOND COMING 1919
10