Do you think France would trade?
By Jennifer Rubin April 25 at 2:44 PM
French President Emmanuel Macron was warmly welcomed to a joint session of Congress — and then showed how the president of a great democracy is supposed to sound. He began by praising the “sanctuary of democracy” in which he stood, displaying a reverence for ideals — liberty, tolerance and equal rights. He recalled a meeting of Voltaire and Benjamin Franklin, paid tribute to the Marquis de Lafayette, and reminded Congress of shared sacrifice and values between the two countries.
Macron made a plea for U.S. internationalism, the ethic of shared sacrifice, measures to protect the planet, preservation of the Iran deal and adherence to human rights. It was not a speech President Trump would give. At times Macron was pointed, saying France would remain in the Iran deal “because we signed it,” a bold dig at Trump’s threat to leave the deal. He explicitly said we should not “abandon” the agreement unless there is something to replace it, although he made the case for a follow-on agreement of the type he discussed on Tuesday with Trump. Macron left the door open for the United States to re-enter the Paris climate accord. (“There is no Planet B,” he said.)
The French president boldly repudiated the selfish isolationism Trump and his followers have dubbed America First:
We can choose isolationism, withdrawal and nationalism. This is an option. It can be tempting to us as a temporary remedy to our fears. But closing the door to the world will not stop the evolution of the world. It will not douse, but inflame the fears of our citizens.
He scolded nationalism and the brand of right-wing populism Trump and certain European leaders fancy, while praising the international world order that has been sustained for 70 years. He called for a more “effective, accountable and results-oriented multilateralism.” He also denounced a “commercial war” (we would say, trade war) which he said would cost jobs and burden the middle class.
In denouncing “fake news” and international propaganda, Macron declared, “Democracy is about true choices and rational decisions.” Supporters of liberal democracies are entitled to swoon, and bemoan the U.S. president’s refusal to embrace this simple concept, attack the notion of objective reality and lie at a pace we have never seen in another presidency. He correctly pointed out that corrupting information strikes at the heart of democracy.
It was a speech one could imagine any other U.S. president of either party giving — laden with quotes from American presidents and highlights of heroic acts of Americans. But not Trump. Yes, Macron gave a speech more “American” more supportive of international capitalism than any speech Trump has given during his presidency.
Trump’s cramped, dark and resentful worldview, we are reminded, is the exception to the rule. It is only a blip if Trump is a one-term president and if voters reject his Trumpized party. It would help if we could find an American Macron — intelligent, empathetic and fully aware of the demands of a great democracy.
more:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2018/04/25/do-you-think-france-would-trade/?utm_term=.171c8b315cac
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