After congratulating Biden, France's Macron sees Trump envoy
French President Emmanuel Macron is facing the potentially uncomfortable position of meeting U.S. President Donald Trump’s top diplomat, having already congratulated President-elect Joe Biden for his election victory
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.French President Emmanuel Macron faced the potentially uncomfortable position Monday of meeting U.S. President Donald Trump s top diplomat, having already congratulated President-elect Joe Biden for his election victory.
Neither side said much in advance about U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo s low-profile visit to Paris the starting point of a seven-country tour of Europe and the Middle East.
Macron's office described Pompeo's planned stop Monday at the presidential Elysee Palace as a “courtesy” visit. No press conference was scheduled, seemingly ruling out the likelihood of journalists getting to ask Pompeo or Macron about their conflicting visions of the U.S. election outcome.
Pompeo has not accepted Trump's election defeat. Macron has already spoken by phone with Biden to congratulate him.
Pompeo's trip is aimed at shoring up the priorities of Trump's outgoing administration. From Paris, he was expected to travel to Turkey. The trip will also include visits to Israeli settlements in the West Bank that have been avoided by previous secretaries of state.
Before the scheduled meetings with Macron and his foreign minister, Pompeo laid a bouquet of red, white and blue flowers at a memorial to victims of terrorism at a Paris landmark, the Hotel des Invalides.
The ceremony lasted about a minute.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.