French President Emmanuel Macron is poised to embark on a lavish three-day state visit to the United Kingdom starting Tuesday. However, the visit may be eclipsed by the ongoing controversy surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump and his potential global trade tariffs that looms over transatlantic relations.
During the visit, Macron and his wife Brigitte are set to be honored with a state banquet hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Following the banquet, Macron will engage with business leaders and hold discussions with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, targeting key issues like migration, trade, defense, and security, as articulated by the U.K. government.
Amidst this ceremonial backdrop, the contentious relationship with Washington and the implications of Trump’s unpredictable tariff policies hang heavy, threatening to disrupt European and global economic stability.
On social media, Trump has circulated purported letters sent to 14 countries, including Japan, South Korea, and South Africa, indicating impending trade tariff increases effective August 1. Notably, the original deadline for these hikes, set for July 9, has now been postponed.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced that additional letters would soon be dispatched, which further places the European Union (EU) — not included in Monday’s round of communications — at a distinct disadvantage.
Speculation is rife about the possibility of a U.S.-EU trade agreement being finalized during this state visit. Still, the actual ramifications for Brussels remain unclear as Macron, representing the EU’s second-largest economy, engages in dialogues in the U.K.
Chief economist at Berenberg Bank, Holger Schmieding, underscored that the EU is eager to formalize a deal with the U.S., potentially by the week’s end, while cautioning that significant barriers persist.
Schmieding elaborated that the EU appears to have resigned itself to the idea that the existing 10% U.S. base tariff, coupled with some sector-specific fees, cannot be negotiated away. The EU seeks limited exemptions for products like aircraft components to avoid a severe increase in average tariffs on imports from the bloc, although the U.S. has hinted at imposing even higher tariffs.
Pomp and Pageantry
In preparation for Macron’s state visit, Britain is pulling out all the stops, showcasing its renowned pomp and pageantry.
On Tuesday, the Macrons will arrive in the U.K. and receive a warm welcome from the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate. They will join a carriage procession with King Charles III and Queen Camilla en route to Windsor Castle, culminating in an elegant state banquet planned for that evening.
King Charles III is expected to deliver remarks marking the beginning of the visit, highlighting the complex threats that both the U.K. and France face in an interconnected world. He is set to declare, “As friends and as allies, we face them together. These challenges know no borders: no fortress can protect us against them this time,” as reported by Sky News.
The close relationship between the Macrons and the British royals is well-documented, particularly highlighted by the King’s commendable address to the French Senate in both English and French during his 2023 state visit.
During the visit, Macron will also have the opportunity to address UK lawmakers around 4 p.m. London time on Tuesday, engage with business leaders on Wednesday, and participate in a France-British summit meeting with Starmer on Thursday.
This upcoming state visit marks the first by a leader from the EU since the U.K.’s contentious departure from the bloc in 2020, following the 2016 Brexit referendum. The British government characterized the visit as a historic opportunity to demonstrate the vast range of the U.K.-France relationship.
Starmer’s rapport with Trump could provide Macron with potential insights into how to navigate discussions with the U.S. as trade negotiations persist. Trump has made it clear that the U.K. is likely to be favored in trade discussions, expressing his affection for the nation, while Macron has faced a more challenging relationship marked by public ridicule, including instances where Trump has mocked him.
In June, at the latest G-7 summit, Trump labeled Macron as “publicity seeking,” a comment further complicating their dynamic as Macron seeks to bolster ties with American leadership.
