On Monday, United States President Donald Trump held discussions at the White House with French President Emmanuel Macron, focusing on topics including Ukraine, European security, and trade matters.
Macron, who has cultivated a friendly relationship with Trump, became the first European leader to visit him since he commenced his second term on January 20. This visit occurs amid rising tensions between Europe and the US, particularly regarding the continent’s security and the situation in Ukraine amidst its conflict with Russia.
Below are some notable highlights from the conversations between Trump and Macron.
Macron Unafraid to Challenge Trump Despite Their Friendship
During Trump’s first term, he and Macron fostered a warm relationship, often making headlines with their enthusiastic displays of camaraderie, including extended handshakes and friendly embraces.
The camaraderie continued on Monday, with both leaders exchanging compliments and holding hands even while expressing differing opinions on various topics.
“In my opinion, President Macron is a very special man,” Trump remarked during their meeting in the Oval Office.
Nevertheless, Macron did not hesitate to challenge Trump regarding critical issues like the Ukraine conflict and trade policies during a press conference.
Macron emphasized that any resolution to the Ukraine war – a situation Trump has suggested might require territorial concessions from Ukraine – should not compromise a robust agreement or result in Ukraine’s “surrender”.
“This peace must ensure Ukrainian sovereignty and facilitate negotiations with other involved parties,” Macron stated.
In a rare moment, Macron interrupted Trump, who incorrectly claimed that Europe was merely loaning money to Ukraine for its military efforts, expecting repayment.
“No, to be honest,” Macron interjected, placing a hand on Trump’s arm, “we accounted for 60 percent of the total support, which primarily included loans, guarantees, and grants, similar to the US.”
Trump, smiling, replied: “If that’s your belief, that’s fine with me.”
Macron also tackled the complex topic of trade relations between the US and the European Union, where Trump has threatened to impose significant tariffs. He advocated for “fair competition” that could stimulate more investments.
“We aim for greater prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic,” Macron asserted. “We share a common agenda in this regard.”
He emphasized the necessity for the US to collaborate rather than antagonize Europe in economic matters during a Fox News interview, asserting that the US “cannot engage in a trade conflict with both China and Europe simultaneously.”
British broadcaster Piers Morgan, a longtime acquaintance of Trump, remarked that Macron has demonstrated exceptional skills in dealing with the US president.
“No world leader manages Trump as adeptly as Macron does. He is friendly yet firm, respectful while also unafraid to confront him when necessary. And Trump respects him for that,” Morgan stated in a post on X.
No world leader handles Trump as well as Macron. Friendly but firm, respectful but not afraid to stand up to him when he thinks he’s wrong. And Trump respects him for it. https://t.co/88GlEap9Ib
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 24, 2025
Macron Concedes Europe Needs to Increase Security Efforts
While urging Trump for a fair peace agreement for Ukraine, Macron acknowledged Trump’s long-standing apprehensions regarding the disproportionate security burden the US has shouldered in Europe, particularly concerning Ukraine.
Macron expressed that European nations “must enhance their contributions… to more equitably distribute the security obligations your country has maintained for many years.”
The two leaders concurred that a European peacekeeping force might be deployed to Ukraine as part of any prospective peace arrangement, a scenario Trump stated would also gain Putin’s acceptance.
“They wouldn’t be positioned along the front lines. Their role wouldn’t involve any conflict. They would be there to ensure that peace is upheld,” Macron explained regarding the envisioned force.
However, Macron emphasized the importance of the US providing “backup” for such an initiative.
Trump Pledged Commitment to Ukraine Mineral Agreement
In efforts to justify US aid to Ukraine, Trump has been urging Ukraine to relinquish control of substantial amounts of valuable rare minerals – an arrangement that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has resisted thus far.
In a joint appearance with Macron, Trump stated that the US is “nearing the completion” of such an agreement, claiming it would eventually allow the US to “recoup its investments” over time.
Macron seemed cautiously supportive of this arrangement, noting his expectation that Trump would soon “sign a deal on rare earth minerals” and expressing France’s contentment with “this robust American involvement.”
Anatol Lieven, director of the Eurasia programme at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, voiced concern to Al Jazeera, asserting that the US’s pursuit of Ukraine’s rare minerals is “predatory.”
“Trump is demanding significantly more than what America provided,” Lieven stated regarding US support. “And it was not a loan. It was a grant given in recognition of America’s own security interests. This method is fundamentally illegitimate.
“That said, perhaps a more reasonable agreement can be reached,” he added.
Distinct Views on Russia’s Putin
The meeting between Trump and Macron underscored their differing viewpoints regarding Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, a leader Trump has sought to befriend and hopes to meet in the future.
When a reporter inquired whether Trump views Putin as a “dictator,” similar to how he labeled Ukraine’s Zelenskyy last week, Trump replied: “I don’t use such terminology lightly. We’ll see how things unfold. Let’s wait for the outcome.”
Conversely, Macron firmly labeled Russia as “the aggressor” in the ongoing conflict, asserting that “Putin breached the peace.” Trump had previously claimed that Ukraine instigated the war.
