Watching President Emmanuel Macron of France meet with President Trump at the White House on Tuesday, it was striking to see just how physical the two leaders were.
Enter the French kiss.
But while that was the most notable moment of physicality, it was far from the only one. As the two leaders left the stage, Macron clasped his hand over Trump’s shoulder. During an earlier Oval Office meeting, Trump affectionately brushed what he said was dandruff from Macron’s shoulder.
But why are Macron and Trump so keen to show that they get along?
Well, first, it’s because the two leaders share policy interests on issues like counterterrorism, defense spending, and the restraint of Iranian aggression. That gives a baseline for respect; the necessary condition of any true friendship. Yet, beyond that, Macron seems to appreciate Trump’s amusing sense of humor and his unpredictable nature. This was evidenced by Macron’s reaction earlier on Tuesday when Trump told ABC News’ Jon Karl that his question was “stupid.”
This speaks to something: While the French are known for their high society fashion, style, and cuisine, their political culture is also defined by a fair degree of eccentricity. Trump certainly fits that category.
Of course, Macron also knows that Trump knows he is widely disliked around the world. Correspondingly, Macron wants to build a strong friendship that serves his nation’s interests. We can believe this with confidence, since Macron is well aware his shows of affection for Trump will not play well in France where Trump is deeply unpopular. If the French leader wasn’t that interested in a strong relationship with Trump, he wouldn’t risk jeopardizing his own domestic position by throwing kisses?
What of Trump’s affection for Macron?
I suspect that the key here is that Trump likes Macron’s cheeky sense of humor and his respect for Trump’s office and electoral victory. Macron has also won Trump’s friendship by allowing the U.S. president to take the center stage in terms of power dynamics. And unlike other world leaders, in Macron, Trump finds someone he can be himself with at all times. That must be liberating, but it’s clear also that Trump sees Macron as a sort-of presidential son — a younger, whippersnapper version of himself.
Ultimately, however, the bromance is good news for both France and the U.S.: a positive relationship between these two presidents serves our mutual interests.
