Trump and Macron: Unexpected friendship with ambiguous future

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Europe

US President Donald Trump left Paris on Friday after a two-day trip that had likely built up a friendship with French President Emmanuel Macron.

However, conflicts between the "two buddies" remain, and it remains a question if this seeming friendship can steer bilateral relations in a better direction.

An unexpected friendship

When the pair first meet in Brussels in May, it was Macron who gave Trump a firm hand shake with no amity at all.

No matter in this year's Group of Seven or NATO summit, 39-year-old Macron combined with other European countries to confront with Trump showing his tough personality.

Differentiated from a previous tit for tat situation on climate change and trade issues, Macron suddenly became amicable to Trump during this visit, as he invited Trump for a meal at a one-Michelin star restaurant in the Eiffel Tower.

The US President Donald Trump (L) and French President Emmanuel Macron (R) watch the annual Bastille Day military parade along Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris, France on July 14, 2017. /VCG Photo

The press conference after their talks mostly showed mutual respect, and both leaders sat next to each other, enjoying the Bastille Day parade on the Champs-Elysees.

Trump was also satisfied with Macron's reception, saying the bond between the US and France, as well as his friendship with Macron was unbreakable.

Motivations behind the visit

This unexpected "bromance" between Trump and Macron was played up on an international stage because they both needed each other and transferred domestic's attentions at the same time, as The Washington Post pointed out.

French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump participate in a joint news conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Thursday, July 13, 2017. /VCG Photo

From Macron's perspective, he smartly used an historical connection (the US joined World War I to support France) to break his awkward relation with Trump, figuring out the US could help increase France's influence in international affairs like Libya.

As for Trump, he had used this visit to France to deflect from trouble at home due to endless allegations of a Russian interference and influence.

Trump himself does not get along well with his Europeans counterpart and leaders, with the decision to quit the Paris climate accord and disparaging criticism on NATO isolating him.

Germany no longer described the US as a "friend" but only a "partner", and a United Kingdom with one foot out the European Union was not that helpful for Trump to curry favor with the bloc.

As such, Macron's France became the US' best ally.

The US First Lady Melania Trump, the US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, French First Lady Brigitte Macron listen to the national anthems during the annual Bastille Day military parade along Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris, France on July 14, 2017. /VCG Photo

Ambiguous future for US-France relations

For how long can this seeming friendship sustain?

Right before Trump's arrival, at the Elysee Palace, Macron met Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss European unity.

Although he was willing to be the peacemaker between the US and EU, he was more than likely to stand at the bloc's side serving its interests.

The US and France continue to stand differently on huge issues like climate change and trade.

How long can the French public stand a Macron with a strong stance but with no power to persuade the US on climate actions?

Trump during this trip had said "something could happen with respect to the Paris accord," but the ambiguous remarks only served to cloud the situation.

Meanwhile, Macron is a strong free trade defender while clearly Trump is more conservative claiming "America First".

France President Emmanuel Macron receives US President Donald Trump at Les Invalides in Paris with their respective wives, on July 13, 2017. /VCG Photo

Many have called this a win-win visit for "two buddies", but whether these two allies can solve its conflicts and boost relations remains to be seen.

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Macron, Trump celebrate Bastille Day in Paris