French President Emmanuel Macron told a joint meeting of Congress called on the United States to embrace a “strong multilateralism” that includes rejoining a global climate pact and step up efforts to preserve democracy around the world.
Macron warned that the United States and France must avoid isolationism and “closing the door to the world,” in the face of threats and called on the United States to create “a new breed of multilateralism” that stops the spread of nationalism.
“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, a strong multilateralism,” Macron said.
“This requires, more than ever, the United States’ involvement, as your role was decisive for creating and safeguarding the free world,” he said. “The United States is the one who invented this multilateralism. You are the one now who has to work to preserve and reinvent it.”
Part of that, he said, is for the U.S. to help fight the threat of global warming, “in order to make our planet great again,” and to ensure Earth “is still inhabitable in 25 years.”
Macron said he was sure, the United States, would “someday come back and join,” the Paris climate agreement President Trump has rejected.
The United States and France also share a responsibility to help preserve democracy globally.
“The United States is the one who invented this multilateralism,” Macron said. “You are the one now who has to help to preserve and reinvent it.”
Macron urged the United States to increase its role as a global peacekeeper.
“It is a critical moment,” Macron said. “If we do not act with urgency as a global community, I am convinced that the international institutions, including the United Nations and NATO will no longer be able to exist.”
Macron is on a three day trip to the United States. On Tuesday, Macron signaled he wants to negotiate a new deal to curb Iran’s nuclear weapons program.
