Will French ingenuity in Sicily sway Donald Trump?

A look at the news - Jonas Follonier

On Friday May 26, the Group of Seven met in Taormina, Sicily. The G7 are the leaders of the United States, Japan, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy and Canada. What do they have in common? These countries are among the world's leading economic powers. The biggest, as everyone knows, is the USA.

Everyone knows the motto of the current American president: America first. This principle was confirmed at the Seven Powers meeting. On the two main topics of the meeting, climate and trade agreements, the Trump administration found itself in clear opposition to its six partners.

As a discussion group, the G7 fosters a desire for international collaboration, open markets, pragmatic agreements and concessions. On the other hand, Trump's approach could not be more adverse: anything that does not seem to benefit the American economy in the eyes of the President is rejected with the utmost firmness.

It may come as a shock, but if you think about it, this should be the attitude of every politician. Defend your interests, that's the rule in the cynical world of geopolitics. Trump isn't a monster; he's simply applying this standard. Where it gets tricky is that his judgement on what does and doesn't benefit his country seems to be tainted with childishness.

«America first! »America first! We're dealing with a child. What's frightening is the American leader's lack of perspective. His lack of nuance too. In a globalized world, working together is not only desirable, but indispensable. Does he even listen to his foreign counterparts?

It's impossible to say at the moment, but one thing is certain: Emmanuel Macron has shown great political skill. Symbolized by his virile handshake with Donald Trump, the French president's determination not to be outdone and to speak as an equal was evident during the climate talks. What if the Paris Agreements weren't a brake on American industry, but rather an economic opportunity?

Now that's got Trump thinking. Whatever his verdict, which we'll probably know at the end of the month, Macron will have had the merit of making him think. Wrapped in the fine diplomacy that continues to be its hallmark, the French side has pulled off a coup. The American side, under the orders of its leader, postponed the deadline for its decision. Will French ingenuity in Sicily change Donald Trump's mind?

In all likelihood, yes. And not just by virtue of Macron's performance. After all, the COP21 (Paris Climate Conference) will already have been the fruit of many Parisian negotiations, before finally having to be adapted to take account of the American point of view, if Trump were to sign it. Why wouldn't he, when the changes brought about by the agreement in question would be virtually nil?

Write to the author: jonas.follonier@leregardlibre.com