President of the United States President Donald Trump welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron to the White House on Monday for discussions on security and trade in Ukraine and Europe.
Macron, who developed a heartfelt relationship with Trump, was the first European leader to visit him since the beginning of his second term on January 20th. Visits from French leaders came at a time when public tensions were raised between Europe and the US, particularly between the US. It surpasses Ukraine’s fate in the security of the continent and the war with Russia.
Below are some important points from Trump Macron’s speech.
Despite his friendship, Macron is not afraid to challenge Trump
Trump and Macron formed a warm relationship during Trump’s first term, often creating headlines of passionate affection, including long handshakes, embraced and backslaps.
The leaders maintained this friendly tone on Monday, clasping their hands with praise, even if they were disagreement on a few points.
“President Macron is a very special guy in my book,” said Trump in the oval office.
Despite the warm exchange, Macron did not avoid challenging important issues such as the Ukrainian war and trade policy at a press conference.
Macron said that ending the war in Ukraine – that Trump might demand that he give up territory to Ukraine should not be at the expense of weak agreements or Ukraine’s “subordination.”
“This peace must enable Ukraine’s sovereignty and allow Ukraine to negotiate with other stakeholders,” Macron said.
French leaders also falsely claimed that the US president was simply lending for Ukrainian efforts and hoped that it would be repaid, leading to the French leader. also made the rare move of cutting down Trump in the middle.
“No, actually, frankly,” Macron said. Place your hands on Trump’s arm to interfere with him. “We paid 60% of the total effort.
Trump smiled and replied, “If you believe it, it’s fine for me.”
Macron also tackles the difficult trade issue between the US and the European Union, and Trump threatens to collect huge tariffs. Macron called for “fair competition” that could lead to more investments.
“I want to thrive more on both sides of the Atlantic,” Macron said. “There’s a shared agenda in that respect.”
Macron said the US should cooperate rather than economically cooperate with Europe during an interview with Fox News, saying that the US cannot “treat trade wars with China and Europe at the same time.” It interfered with his message.
Trump’s longtime friend, British broadcaster Pierce Morgan, said Macron has shown him to be one of the most skilled leaders in dealing with the US president.
“Not just Macron, there’s no world leader in dealing with Trump. He’s friendly, but solid and respectful, but he’s not afraid to stand up to him when he thinks he’s wrong. Trump is I respect him,” Morgan wrote in X’s post.
Not just Macron, there is no world leader in dealing with Trump. He’s friendly, but solid and respectful, but not afraid to stand up to him when he thinks he’s wrong. And Trump respects that. https://t.co/88gleap9ib
– Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 24, 2025
Macron agrees that Europe will comply with security
While pushing Trump’s need for a peace deal for Ukraine, Macron acknowledged Trump’s longstanding concerns about the US, including Ukraine, taking on a large share of European security.
Macron said European countries need to “do more to share the security burden your country has been carrying for years with ease.”
The two leaders agreed that European peacekeeping forces could be sent to Ukraine as part of a potential peace deal, a condition Trump said he would also accept Putin.
“They are not on the frontlines. They are not part of the conflict. They will be there to ensure that peace is respected,” Macron said of the troops.
But Macron said it was important for the US to provide “backup” to such coalitions.
Trump has committed to the mineral trade in Ukraine
As part of his bid to regain our aid to Ukraine, Trump has pressured Ukraine to give control of the rare minerals of hundreds of billions of dollars.
Speaking alongside Macron, Trump said the US was “very close” to completing such an agreement, and ultimately insisted that they “recover the money.”
Macron predicts that Trump will soon “sign a rare earth mineral trade” and that he expects France to be happy to see “this very strong American involvement.” It appeared to offer careful support.
Anatol Lieben, director of the Eurasian program at the Quincy National Institute for Responsible for the National Institute for Responsible, told Al Jazeera that he believes that the US demand for rare Ukrainian minerals is “predatory.”
“Trump wants more than America has given,” Liven said of US aid. “And it wasn’t a loan. It was seen as a gift and in America’s own safety interests. So this approach is completely illegal.
“With that being said, you could probably negotiate something, but that’s more reasonable,” he added.
The difference between Putin in Russia
The Trump Macron meeting highlighted the diversity of the two leaders against Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom Trump seeks reconciliation and whom he wants to meet, underscored by the diversity of the two leaders.
When reporters asked Trump last week if he viewed Putin as a “dictator” in the same way as Ukraine’s labelling Zelenkie. “I don’t use those words lightly. I think we’re going to see how it all works. Let’s see what happens.”
Meanwhile, Macron clearly fixed Russia as an “invader” in the ongoing war, claiming that “Putin had violated the peace.” Trump had accused Ukraine of starting a war last week.