Joe Biden flew to France on Tuesday, where he will salute the heroism of American troops in 1944, praise the alliances of the United States and plead for democracy: all opportunities to force the contrast with Donald Trump.
“We are the great world power”proclaims the Democratic president in an interview broadcast by Time magazine, pleading for an active role for America in the world.
On the contrary, the United States’ allies fear, in the event of a victory for its Republican predecessor in November, a new isolationist turn.
“I have a radically different vision” of his own, affirms Joe Biden, adding that “the main element (of American security) is our alliances. »
“He, Trump, he simply wanted to abandon them”assures the 81-year-old Democrat, referring in particular to the 77-year-old billionaire’s criticisms against NATO.
The American president’s program in France testifies to this desire to distinguish himself as much as possible from his adversary.
On Sunday, Joe Biden will lay a wreath at the Bois Belleau American cemetery (Aisne), in tribute to the soldiers who fell during the First World War.
In 2018, Donald Trump gave up going there, officially because of bad weather.
“Losers”
He feared, according to comments reported to The Atlantic magazine by witnesses, that the rain would disturb his hairstyle. And would have said: “Why should I go to this cemetery? It’s full of +losers+”losers.
Joe Biden will visit another famous American cemetery on Thursday, that of Colleville-sur-Mer, in Normandy, and he will meet veterans there.
Before participating, the same day, in the international ceremony commemorating the Allied landings of June 6, 1944, at Omaha Beach.
Then he will be received on Friday in Paris by Emmanuel Macron, with a welcome ceremony, a military parade and a working lunch on the program, before joint statements to the press.
The day will conclude with a state dinner, a way for the French president to return the courtesy, he who had benefited from the same treatment in Washington in December 2022.
According to the White House, the two leaders must make announcements on cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, the energy transition and nuclear energy.
Between the commemoration of ” D Day “ and the splendor of the Elysée, the American president reserved Friday to address his compatriots.
He will deliver a speech on democracy and freedom from Pointe du Hoc, a promontory stormed by the “Rangers” Americans during one of the fiercest battles of the landings.
Reagan
Forty years ago, Ronald Reagan made a powerful plea for democracy in the same place, “the most honorable form of government invented by man”and for the affirmation of American power in the world.
“We in America have learned bitter lessons from the two world wars: it is better to be here (Editor’s note: in Europe), ready to protect the peace, than to hole up on the other side of the ocean, not to fight back only when freedom is already lost”said the Republican president.
In 1984, he was of course referring to the rivalry with the Soviet Union.
In 2024, these comments echo Joe Biden’s desire to support Ukraine against Russia, or to stand up to China.
But it is of course also Donald Trump that the Democratic president will think of.
The Republican, who never conceded defeat in 2020, is campaigning on a promise of ” revenge “ against his political opponents.
“Something broke inside this guy for real” four years ago, Joe Biden said Monday during a meeting with Democratic donors.
“It literally drives him crazy,” he added, repeating, as he does every time, that American democracy would be ” stake “ during the November election.
