President Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron shake hands during their meeting at the French Embassy to the Vatican in Rome in October 2021. Photo: Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images
President Biden and first lady Jill Biden will welcome French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, for a state visit on Dec. 1, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed at a press briefing Monday.
Why it matters: This will be the first formal state dinner hosted by the Biden administration — coming later than those of previous administrations because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What they're saying: The visit “will underscore the deep and enduring relationship between the United States and France, our oldest ally,” Jean-Pierre said.
- "Our close relationship with France is founded on our shared democratic values, economic ties and defense and security cooperation," she added.
- "The leaders will discuss our continued close partnership on shared global challenges and areas of bilateral interest."
- "We work closely with France on the full range of global challenges, as you all know, including the war in Ukraine."
The big picture: This will be Macron's second state visit to the U.S., having previously visited in 2018 during the Trump administration.
- Biden has had previous conversations with Macron while he's been in office, including at the UN General Assembly last week.
- The U.S. has made efforts to repair some of the fallout from last year's Australia-U.S.-UK (AUKUS) submarine deal, which left France blindsided.
- Jean-Pierre acknowledged the pandemic has delayed many traditional in-person events hosted by an administration but noted that international leaders have visited the White House on official working visits during the administration.