Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

Macron to Truss: Let’s be friends

Macron to Truss: Let’s be friends

French president senses ‘will to re-engage’ after new UK leader questioned whether he is a ‘friend or foe.’

Emmanuel Macron praised Liz Truss’ “will to move forward” as the pair met for the first time since the British prime minister said “the jury is out” on whether they’d be friends or adversaries.

The French and British leaders met on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly Tuesday where they discussed energy security and the importance of staying the course in Ukraine.

Yet they did not discuss two hot-button issues that have dominated the Anglo-French relationship in recent years — the post-Brexit Northern Ireland protocol for trade or migration across the Channel.

In her campaign to become leader of the Conservative Party, Truss sparked anger as she vowed to judge the French president by his “deeds not words,” and warned “the jury is out” on whether he is Britain’s “friend or foe.”

Speaking after their meeting, Macron extended a somewhat pointed olive branch, telling reporters: “I believe in proofs and results. There is a will to re-engage, to move forward, and to show that we are friends and allies in a complex world.”

Truss struck a conciliatory note ahead of the meeting, telling reporters she wanted to work “constructively” with the French president.

The U.K. leader’s spokesman said afterward “that was the tone and tenor of the bilateral meeting,” while it was described by the French side as “relaxed.”

They denied the Northern Ireland protocol — the source of a protracted and ongoing row between Brussels and London — had been left aside because it was too politically difficult, saying: “We want to resolve this with the EU and this is not an issue which can necessarily be resolved by one single EU country.”

However, Truss will not be able to avoid the subject Wednesday when she meets European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and U.S. President Joe Biden.

Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said at a press briefing Tuesday the pair will talk about Northern Ireland “in some detail.”

Biden will communicate his “strong view that the Good Friday Agreement must be protected,” he added, and would “encourage the U.K. and the European Union to work out an effective outcome.”

The two are also expected to discuss the U.S. and the U.K.’s economic relationship — although the pair have starkly different economic visions, as illustrated by a Biden tweet Tuesday making clear he is “sick and tired” of “trickle-down economics.”

It came as Truss defended plans to cut business taxes and potentially lift a cap on bankers’ bonuses.

AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Asian Energy Security Tested as Strait of Hormuz Disruption Threatens Oil Supplies
Iran Sets Three Conditions for Ending Regional War as Diplomatic Efforts Intensify
Iran warns of $200 oil as forces target merchant ships in Gulf
Japan to Release 45 Days of Oil Reserves Amid Iran Conflict
Global Energy Agency Announces Record Release of 400 Million Barrels to Stabilize Oil Markets Amid Hormuz Disruption
U.S. and Israel Intensify Strikes on Iran as Conflict Expands to Lebanon and Gulf States
When the State Replaces the Parent: How Gender Policy Is Redefining Custody and Coercion
Larry Summers, the former U.S. Treasury Secretary, is resigning from Harvard University as fallout continues over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
U.S. stocks ended higher on Wednesday, with the Dow gaining about six-tenths of a percent, the S&P 500 adding eight-tenths of a percent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq climbing roughly one-and-a-quarter percent.
Nvidia posted better than expected results for the January quarter on Wednesday and forecast current quarter revenue above market estimates.
Ukrainian government intensifies pressure on Hungary and Slovakia with oil blockade
Britain’s Channel Crisis: Paying Billions While the Boats Keep Coming
Woman Receives Gift Card for Christmas – Discovers It Is ‘Worth’ 63,000,000,000,000,000 Pounds
United Nations Calls for Global Action Against Disinformation and Hate Speech Online
Tucker Carlson warns of an inevitable clash in Western societies over mass migration
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman praises the rapid progress of Chinese tech companies.
Poland's President Karol Nawrocki ENDS support for Ukrainian citizens:
Italy's PM Giorgia Meloni highlights record employment and economic growth
Chancellor Friedrich Merz Re-elected as CDU Leader, Opposes AfD Influence
Trump Directs Government to Release UFO and Alien Information
Trump Signs Global 10% Tariffs on Imports
UK Government Considers Law to Remove Prince Andrew from Royal Line of Succession
Two teens arrested in France for alleged terror plot.
US Supreme Court Voids Trump’s Emergency Tariff Plan, Reshaping Trade Power and Fiscal Risk
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis advocates for a ban on minors using social media.
Meanwhile in Time Square, NYC One of the most famous landmarks
Jensen Huang just told the story of how Elon Musk became NVIDIA’s very first customer for their powerful AI supercomputer
Former British Prince Andrew Arrested on Suspicion of Misconduct in Public Office
Former President Yoon Suk Yeol Sentenced to Life in Prison for Abuse of Authority
Unitree Robotics founder Wang Xingxing showcases future robot deployment during Spring Festival Gala.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz calls for real name use on social media.
Italian Police Arrest Man After Alleged Attempt to Abduct Toddler at Bergamo Supermarket, Child Hospitalised With Fractured Femur
British Tourist Arrested at Hong Kong Airport After Meltdown and Vandalism
European Commission Plans Purchase Incentives Limited to Vehicles Manufactured Largely in the EU
French District of Pas-de-Calais Introduces Immediate License Suspension for Drivers Using Mobile Phones
Volkswagen Targets €60 Billion in Cost Reductions as Sales Decline and Global Pressures Intensify
Eighty-Year-Old Lottery Winner Sentenced to 16.5 Years for Drug Trafficking
Rubio Calls for Sweeping U.N. Reform, Saying It Has Failed to End Wars in Gaza and Ukraine
10,000 Condoms Distributed at Winter Olympics 2026 Athlete Village Depleted Within 72 Hours
Poland's President Advocates for Evaluating Independent Nuclear Weapons Development
Mayor of Serdobsk in Russia’s Penza Region Resigns After Housing Certificates Granted to Migrant Family Trigger Public Outcry
China’s EV Makers Face Mandatory Return to Physical Buttons and Door Handles in Driver-Distraction Safety Overhaul
UK Green Party Considering Proposal to Legalize Heroin for an Inclusive Society
OpenAI and DeepCent Superintelligence Race: Artificial General Intelligence and AI Agents as a National Security Arms Race
We will protect them from the digital Wild West.’ Another country will ban social media for under-16s
Heineken announces cut of 6,000 jobs due to declining beer demand
Apple iPhone Lockdown Mode blocks FBI data access in journalist device seizure
Belgium: Man Charged with Rape After Faking Payment to Sex Worker
KPMG Urges Auditor to Relay AI Cost Savings
Canada Opens First Consulate in Greenland Amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions
×