Can favorable relations with U.S. President Donald Trump be maintained and his excessive "America first" policy also be stemmed? With his administration in its second year, French President Emmanuel Macron has a significant role to fulfill in this regard.
Last month, Macron visited the United States as its first state guest under the Trump administration. Bearing in mind the fact that the United States is going ahead with restrictions on steel and aluminum imports, Macron expressed concerns about "commercial war" in an address to the U.S. Congress.
He has good reason to assert that trade imbalance problems should be resolved at the World Trade Organization.
Macron also calls for maintaining the Iran nuclear accord, from which the United States had decided to withdraw. Based on Trump's assertion that the accord is "defective," the French president has advanced a proposal for reconsidering the accord that includes restraints on Iran's ballistic missile development.
The nuclear agreement is an international deal concluded between six countries -- the United States, Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia -- and Iran. In exchange for the lifting of sanctions by the United States and European nations, Iran has reduced its nuclear activities.
If the accord collapses, it could serve as a trigger for Iran's nuclear weapons development. Can the deal be retained in cooperation with such nations as Britain and Germany? This will test Macron's diplomatic skills.
Macron's outspoken remarks to the United States may be attributable to the fact that he invited Trump to Paris on Bastille Day in July last year, thereby building a relationship of personal trust between them.
Show benefits of reforms
France's international image, which declined due to former President Francois Hollande's misgovernment and unpopularity, is recovering under the Macron administration.
For many years, Britain has served as a bridge between Europe and the United States. During the days of former U.S. President Barack Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel formed a close relationship between the two sides. It is extraordinary for any French president to come to the fore in this respect.
British Prime Minister Theresa May is moving ahead with plans for her country's exit from the European Union. Due to the refugee problem and other reasons, Merkel faces a decline in her unifying appeal within the European Union. The changes in Europe's political map are likely one of the factors behind Macron's conspicuous presence.
To continue his active diplomacy, it is indispensable for Macron to shore up his political footing through efforts to carry out domestic reforms, a goal announced as one of his election pledges.
Asserting that the excessive protection of workers is hindering corporate activities, Macron has achieved a revision of labor laws to make it easy to dismiss laborers and adjust their working hours. To attract foreign companies, he has also decided to reduce corporate taxes.
This has aroused growing criticism that he is giving corporations preferential treatment, and labor unions are even more intensely opposing his actions. His support rate stands at 44 percent, down from 62 percent soon after his inauguration.
Macron needs to demonstrate his achievements gained through painful reforms in a manner that allows his people to tangibly feel them, such as a decline in the unemployment rate.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 20, 2018)
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
