France and U.S.-French Relations: In Brief (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Revised April 19, 2018 |
| Report Number |
R45167 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Jared P. Cole; Cynthia Brown |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
French President Emmanuel Macron took office in May 2017 promising to shake up a political
system he characterized as out of touch, revive the stagnant French economy, and revitalize
French leadership of the 28-member European Union (EU). Since that time, he has sought to
advance a centrist, reform-oriented domestic agenda while pursuing a “traditional” French foreign
and defense policy that emphasizes European integration and a strong French presence in global
affairs.
Although Macron has the support of a solid majority in the French parliament, he faces
challenges in advancing his ambitious policy agenda, both at home and abroad. Domestically,
France has suffered a number of deadly terrorist attacks since January 2015, and some powerful
labor unions oppose key elements of Macron’s proposed economic reforms. At the European
level, the EU is facing some of the most significant challenges of its 60-year history, including the
planned withdrawal of the United Kingdom (also referred to as Brexit), tensions related to an
upsurge in migrants and refugees to Europe, heightened terrorist threats, and Russian aggression.
Globally, Macron has sought to boost his country’s profile on the world stage. He has advocated a
stronger EU and international response to combat terrorism, especially in the Middle East and
Africa, where more than 5,000 French troops are carrying out counterterrorism operations.
Macron has maintained France’s traditionally strong commitment to the global multilateral
security and economic architecture established after World War II, and he is a particularly strong
proponent of both free trade and the 2015 U.N. Paris Agreement on climate change.
Despite expressing unease at times about the direction of U.S. foreign policy under President
Trump, Macron has made a concerted effort—perhaps more so than any other European leader—
to forge a close working relationship with the U.S. President. Accordingly, President Trump is
scheduled to host Macron in Washington, D.C., on April 23-25, 2018, for the Trump Presidency’s
first official state visit by a foreign leader. In previous meetings and conversations, President
Macron and President Trump have stressed their governments’ strong bilateral cooperation in
confronting terrorist and other security threats in the Middle East and Africa. This cooperation is
likely to remain a key driver of bilateral relations for the near future. However, given President
Trump’s widespread unpopularity in France and Europe and a perception that Macron has yet to
secure Trump’s support for key French priorities, Macron could face heightened domestic
pressure to take a stronger stand against the Trump Administration’s foreign and trade policies.
