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Emmanuel Macron tells US to reject isolationism in pointed address to Congress

Defiant: French President Emmanuel Macron addresses Congress: REUTERS
Defiant: French President Emmanuel Macron addresses Congress: REUTERS

French President Emmanuel Macron urged the US to reject fear and isolationism in an apparent rebuke to Donald Trump.

He urged the US President to continue his country’s tradition of playing an active role on the world stage.

Addressing the US Congress at the end of his visit to the country, Mr Macron quickly turned to topics where he and Mr Trump disagree, including Syria, the Iran nuclear deal, free trade and the Paris accord on climate change.

He urged the United States not to retreat from its historic and military role in world affairs.

"We are living in a time of anger and fear" because of "global threats", Mr Macron said.

"You can play with fears and angers for a time, but they do not construct anything."

Macron addressed US politicians in Congress, and won repeated standing ovations
Macron addressed US politicians in Congress, and won repeated standing ovations

With a nod to great American leaders, including former president Franklin Roosevelt, he warned against withdrawing from the world in fear.

"We have two possible ways ahead.

"We can choose isolationism, withdrawal and nationalism. It can be tempting to us as a temporary remedy to our fears," he said.

"But closing the door to the world will not stop the evolution of the world."

He proposed a "new breed of militarism" that was more effective, accountable and results-oriented.

"This requires more than ever the United States involvement," he said.

In a near hour-long speech, he reiterated French support for US sanctions on Pyongyang toward the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, and said as for Iran: "our objective is clear: Iran shall never possess any nuclear weapons".

But he warned against simply abandoning the multi-nation Iran nuclear deal, as Mr Trump has considered, promoting a "more comprehensive deal" he has been discussing with White House officials during his US visit.

Mr Macron also warned that lies disseminated online are threatening freedoms worldwide, and in a play on Mr Trump's famous campaign slogan, he said he was confident the US will re-join the Paris climate agreement.

"Let us work together in order to make our planet great again and create new jobs and new opportunities while safeguarding our earth".

If Earth's climate continues to warm, "there is no Planet B," he added.

The independent centrist president, who does not always receive such a robust welcome at home, was greeted with repeated standing ovations from members of Congress, including Republicans, who have not always aligned with French leaders on policy.

In recounting common bonds from the earliest days of the United States, Mr Macron talked about a meeting between Ben Franklin and the French philosopher Voltaire, "kissing each other's cheeks".

In an apparent reference to his friendly meetings this week with Mr Trump, he said: "It can remind you of something."

Mr Macron was speaking as part of his visit to the United States.

It is the first time a president from France has addressed Congress in more than a decade, but follows a tradition of foreign leaders appearing at the US Capitol.