France's Macron Threatens Bromance With Trump During Highly Critical Speech to Congress

French President Emmanuel Macron was recently in Washington, where he met with President Trump in the first official state dinner hosted at the White House since Obama left office. 

It is well-noted that Macron seems to get along well with Trump, at least for now. They have this awkward relationship that some are even suggesting is a bit like a bromance, although that is probably taking it too far. Clearly, however, Trump seems to like the idea of another foreign head of state actually wanting to meet with him regularly, as other heads of state, even those in Britain and Germany right now, seem a lot more reluctant to do so.

However, despite this, when President Macron addressed a joint session of Congress earlier this week, he tore apart Trump's political agenda and mindset. He made clear that he felt Trump made a mistake by pulling the United States out of the Paris Climate Accord, and urged the United States to reconsider. He also urged the United States to honor the Iran nuclear deal, while simultaneously stressing that Iran should never, ever be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons. 

He was also critical of America's seeming reluctance to get involved in any leadership roles around the world under the Trump presidency, and hinted that other powers will surely fill in the vacuum of America's absence. He urged Trump and the United States to break out of it's increasing tendency towards isolationism. 

Here are some of the highlight's from Macron's speech before the joint session of Congress:

On Global Warming and American cooperation with the Paris Accord:

 "I am sure one day, the US will come back and join the Paris agreement." Macron said, adding simply, "Let us face it: There is no planet B."

"We must find a smoother transition to a lower carbon economy," he said. "Because what is the meaning of our life, really, if we work and live destroying the planet while sacrificing the future of our children?"

On the Iraq Nuclear Deal, and why Trump must stay in the deal:

France will stay in the deal "because we signed it," Macron said. "Our objective is clear. Iran shall never possess any nuclear weapons. Not now, not in five years, not in 10 years, never."

"We should not abandon it if we don't have something more substantial instead. That is my position," Macron added. "Your President and your country ... will have to take its own responsibilities regarding this issue."

America's growing trend towards isolationism compromising the nation's strength, and the world stability:

 "The 21st century has brought a series of new threats and new challenges that our ancestors might have never imagined," Macron said. "We can build the 21st century world order based on a new breed of multilateralism, based on a more effective, accountable, and results-oriented multilateralism."

 He continued: "This requires more than ever the United States' involvement, as your role was decisive for creating and safeguarding this free world. The United States is the one who invented this multilateralism. You are the one who has to help now to preserve and reinvent it."

France's Macron takes aim at Trump agenda in pointed speech to Congress  By Daniella Diaz of CNN, April 25, 2018:

https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/25/politics/france-president-emmanuel-macron-joint-address-congress/index.html