Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2021

June 12, 2021

Q. How are you, sir?

President Macron. How are you?

President Biden. I'm well. The sun is shining. We're almost on the beach. I'm well. And I'm with the President of France; that makes me even feel better. [Laughter]

White House staffer. We're on.

President Biden. We're on. Okay. We're on. Did you know that? [Laughter] Well, we'reâ we're just having aâwe've had a good couple days so far. I've had a chance to spend some time with President Macron, get to know him. And we have some things we've got to talk about a little bit later, but things are going, I think, well. And we're, as we say inâback in the States, "We're on the same page." So thank you.

President Macron. Yes. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. We had aâI want to thank you for our discussion yesterday and the working sessions we had, indeed.

We have to deal with this pandemic and the COVIDâ19. We have to face a lot of challenges, a lot of crisis, climate change. And for all these issues, what we need is cooperation. And I think it's great to have the U.S. President part of the club and very willing to cooperate. And I think that what you demonstrate is that leadership is partnership. And we do appreciate it, and I think we can deliver great things for that.

President Biden. I think we can do a lot too. Weâthe United States, I've said beforeâwe're back. The U.S. is back. We feel very, very strongly about the cohesion of NATO.

And I, for one, think that the European Union is an incredibly strong and vibrant entity that has a lot to do with the ability of Western Europe to not only handle its economic issues, but provide the backbone and the support for NATO.

And so Iâwe're very supportiveâvery supportive.

President Macron. Thank you.

President Biden. Thank you.

U.S. Leadership in Multilateral Affairs

Q. Mr. President, have you convinced allies that America is back?

President Biden. Ask him.

Q. Is America back?

President Macron. Yes. Definitely.

Q. Do you believe America is back?

President Macron. Definitely.

Q. Mr. President, Putin says he's notââ

Q. Thank you, sir.

Q. Mr. President, what are your expectations for your meeting with Putin?

President Biden. We should be golfing. [Laughter]

Q. Mr. President, what are your expectations for your meeting with Putin?

NOTE: The President spoke at 3:01 p.m. at the Carbis Bay Estate hotel. A reporter referred to President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin of Russia.

Categories: Meetings With Foreign Leaders and International Officials : France, President Macron; Meetings With Foreign Leaders and International Officials : Exchanges with reporters :: St. Ives, United Kingdom.

Locations: St. Ives, United Kingdom. Names: Macron, Emmanuel.

Subjects: Foreign policy, U.S. : Diplomatic efforts, expansion; France : President; France : Relations with U.S.; North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

DCPD Number: DCPD202100498.