Macron kicks off ‘historic' UK state visit
WINDSOR : French President Emmanuel Macron received a warm and pomp-filled welcome today from King Charles III as he began a three-day state visit to Britain, the first by an EU head of state since Brexit.
Macron, accompanied by his wife Brigitte, hailed an 'important moment for our two nations' after landing and heading straight for Windsor, west of London, to meet the British monarch.
'Together, we will address the major challenges of our time: security, defence, nuclear energy, space, innovation, artificial intelligence, migration, and culture,' he posted on X.
The French leader added that Paris and London were seeking to 'deepen our cooperation in a concrete, effective, and lasting way'.
The first state visit by an EU head of state since the UK's acrimonious 2020 departure from the European Union, it is also the first by a French president since Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008.
During his visit, Macron will hold several meetings with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
After taking power in 2024, the British leader has been making good on his pledge to reset relations with European capitals following years of Brexit-fuelled tensions.
Their discussions are expected to focus on aid to war-torn Ukraine and bolstering defence spending, as well as joint efforts to stop migrants from crossing the Channel in small boats – a potent political issue in Britain.
Calling the visit 'historic', Starmer's office said it would showcase 'the breadth of the existing relationship' between Britain and France.
Windsor pomp
Macron and his wife Brigitte were greeted off the presidential plane today at an air base northwest of London by heir-to-the-throne Prince William and his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales.
In a stylistic nod to her guests, the princess wore a Christian Dior jacket.
A short time later Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, warmly welcomed the entourage to Windsor, amid a full display of British pomp and pageantry.
The Francophile king, who is believed to enjoy a warm rapport with Macron, could be seen chatting with him enthusiastically during their early interactions.
Charles made a 2023 state visit to France, one of his first after ascending the throne and widely regarded as a success.
After a 41-gun salute sounded from nearby Home Park and a royal carriage procession through the town, which was decked out in French Tricolores and British Union flags, the group entered the castle for lunch.
They will return there later for a state banquet in the vast medieval St George's Hall, when in a speech Charles is set to laud the vital partnership between France and the UK amid a 'multitude of complex threats'.
'As friends and as allies, we face them together,' he will say, according to Buckingham Palace.
Before that, Macron will follow in the footsteps of predecessors Charles de Gaulle and Francois Mitterrand by addressing lawmakers in the UK parliament.
The visit also aims to boost trade and business ties, with Paris and London announcing today that French energy giant EDF will have a 12.5-stake in new British nuclear power plant Sizewell C.
'Support for Ukraine'
Tomorrow, Macron will have lunch with Starmer and the two leaders will on Thursday co-host the 37th Franco-British Summit, where they are set to discuss opportunities to strengthen defence ties.
Britain and France are spearheading talks amongst a 30-nation coalition on how to support a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, including potentially deploying peacekeeping forces.
The two leaders will dial in to a meeting of the coalition on Thursday 'to discuss stepping up support for Ukraine and further increasing pressure on Russia', Starmer's office confirmed yesterday.
They will speak to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, according to the French presidency.
Irregular migration is also set to feature in talks between Macron and Starmer.
The British leader is under intense pressure to curb cross-Channel arrivals, as Eurosceptic Nigel Farage's hard-right Reform UK party uses the issue to fuel its rise.
London has for years pressed Paris to do more to halt the boats leaving from northern French beaches, welcoming footage last Friday showing French police stopping one such boat from departing.
Meanwhile, speculation is rife that Macron will use the visit to announce an update on his previous offer to loan the Bayeux Tapestry to Britain.
It emerged in 2018 that he had agreed to loan the embroidery, which depicts the 1066 Norman conquest of England, but the move has since stalled.
The UK government said yesterday that it continued to 'work closely with our counterparts in France on its planned loan'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
6 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Luxury slump deepens: LVMH and Kering hit by price fatigue and tariff fears
PARIS, July 24 — LVMH and Kering are expected to report another drop in quarterly sales, deepening investor worries about a prolonged downturn in the US$400 billion (RM1.7 trillion) luxury market as brands face the threat of hefty US import tariffs. The results, kicking off with LVMH today, will likely show that any revival in demand for pricey fashion in the key US and Chinese markets remains elusive. Uncertainty unleashed by US President Donald Trump's trade war has caused volatility in stock markets, weighing on consumer confidence. Trump's threat of 30 per cent tariffs on imported EU goods risks hurting luxury houses that make products in France and Italy. They will be wary of lifting prices for US consumers after signs that previous rounds of price hikes slowed demand. 'The level of price increases has been too much' at a number of brands, alienating the 'aspirational' middle-income shoppers, said Caroline Reyl, head of premium brands at Pictet Asset Management. LVMH's fashion and leather goods division, home to Louis Vuitton and Dior, is expected to show sales down 6 per cent year-on-year, its fourth consecutive quarterly decline, according to a Visible Alpha consensus forecast. Gucci, Kering's main earner which is undergoing an overhaul, has struggled for twice as long and is seen reporting sales down nearly a quarter from a year earlier. After two years of slowing sales, unease about the health of the industry is growing, with customers balking at higher price tags. Shares of LVMH are down nearly 27 per cent since the start of this year, while shares of Kering are down 15 per cent. Shares of Hermes and Richemont, which cater to mostly wealthy clients, were little changed, with the former down 0.9 per cent and the latter up 1.6 per cent over the same period. LVMH, Europe's most valuable listed company as recently as January, has slipped to fifth place. 'It seems that investors are starting to worry about the long-term structural attractiveness of the industry,' UBS analysts said last week. Sales of handbags — previously a growth engine — have been weak as shoppers opt for timeless, investment-grade jewellery. Brands including Dior, Gucci and Chanel have recruited new designers, but it takes time for fresh styles to enter stores. Lower-priced products Brands like Louis Vuitton and Prada 1913.F are offering more products below US$1,000, like a new hybrid ballerina-sneaker shoe, for example, and emphasising beauty products, said Bain consultants. But that carries risks. 'The aspirational skew of the brand is unhelpful currently,' said HSBC analysts, highlighting problems at Louis Vuitton. 'Some inconsistencies, we feel, are likely starting to have consumers wonder.' Consensus forecasts peg organic sales of LVMH down 3 per cent, while Kering is seen down 13 per cent; Hermes and Prada are expected to show a 10 per cent rise, as Prada's Miu Miu label takes market share from rivals. Kering will report its results on July 29, while Hermes and Prada are due to report on July 30. — Reuters
The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
Britain and India to sign landmark free trade pact during Modi visit
FILE PHOTO: Britain's Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer attends a bilateral meeting with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G20 summit at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Picture date: Monday November 18, 2024. Stefan Rousseau/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo LONDON/NEW DELHI (Reuters) -Britain and India will sign a landmark free trade agreement on Thursday during a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sealing a deal to cut tariffs on goods from textiles to whisky and cars and allow more market access for businesses. The two countries concluded talks on the long-coveted free trade pact in May after three years of stop-start negotiations, with both sides hastening efforts to clinch a deal in the shadow of tariff turmoil sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump. The agreement between the world's fifth and sixth largest economies aims to increase bilateral trade by a further 25.5 billion pounds ($34 billion) by 2040. It will take effect after the British parliament and India's federal cabinet approve it, likely within a year. "Our landmark trade deal with India is a major win for Britain. It will create thousands of British jobs across the UK, unlock new opportunities for businesses and drive growth," British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. The agreement will be signed during Modi's fourth visit to the UK since he took office in 2014. The leaders will also sign a strategic partnership covering areas such as defence and climate, and strengthen co-operation on tackling crime. Under the trade agreement, tariffs on Scotch whisky will drop to 75% from 150% immediately, and then slide to 40% over the next decade, according to the British government. On cars, India will cut duties to 10% from over 100% under a quota system that will be gradually liberalised. In return, Indian manufacturers are expected to gain access to the UK market for electric and hybrid vehicles, also under a quota system, Indian commerce ministry officials said. The ministry has said 99% of Indian exports to Britain would benefit from zero duties under the deal, including textiles, while Britain will see reductions on 90% of its tariff lines. The agreement represents Britain's most significant trade deal since it left the EU in 2020, though the projected boost to British economic output, of 4.8 billion pounds a year by 2040, is small compared to the country's gross domestic product of 2.6 trillion pounds in 2024. The deal will also facilitate easier access for temporary business visitors, though visas are not covered. Britain and India also agreed to ensure workers no longer have to make social security contributions in both India and Britain during temporary postings in the other country. Under the trade deal, British firms will be able to access India's procurement market for projects in sectors such as clean energy, and it also covers services sectors such as insurance. India didn't succeed in its efforts to get an exemption from Britain's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) - which could levy higher taxes on polluters from 2027 - as part of the deal. The two sides also haven't concluded talks over a separate bilateral investment treaty, which were held in parallel to trade negotiations but still continue. (Reporting by Alistair Smout in London and Manoj Kumar in New Delhi; editing by Philippa Fletcher)
Free Malaysia Today
16 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Poland's Tusk unveils new cabinet in bid to reverse decline
Donald Tusk's coalition has steadily declined in opinion polls since mid-2024. (AP pic) WARSAW : Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced a cabinet reshuffle today in a bid to regain momentum amid falling approval ratings and potential clashes with the new, opposition-backed nationalist president. Since Karol Nawrocki's victory over Tusk's liberal ally Rafal Trzaskowski in June's presidential election, dissension within the ruling pro-European coalition has grown, raising doubt about its future under a veto-wielding head of state. Under the reshuffle, foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski was promoted to deputy prime minister while keeping his current post. 'We as a government need a very strong political figure in international relations,' Tusk told reporters. To consolidate oversight of economic affairs, Tusk announced a new super ministry combining finance and the economy to be headed by current finance minister Andrzej Domanski. 'The most important structural undertaking is building a viable financial and economic centre. There will be a single centre operating transparently and implementing a comprehensive economic policy,' Tusk said. Milosz Motyka from junior coalition party PSL will head a newly created energy ministry. A judge, Waldemar Zurek, was named to run the justice ministry as it seeks to shore up rule of law standards that critics say deteriorated under the previous nationalist government. Tusk's coalition has steadily declined in opinion polls since mid-2024. This month, the share of government opponents has risen to 48% while the government's support has held steady at 32%, the latest CBOS poll showed. Polls have traced the government's drop in popularity to public disenchantment with a lack of concrete achievements, with the opposition landing effective blows over a failure to stem undocumented migration into Poland. The reshuffle drew criticism from the main opposition Law and Justice party, which lost power in the 2023 election. 'Reconstruction means nothing other than the further destruction of Poland. Some incompetents were replaced by others,' the party's vice president, Mariusz Blaszczak, said in a post on X. Nawrocki, who will be sworn in as president on Aug 6, has questioned the coalition's pro-European, liberal agenda but said he is willing to accept moves to increase the tax-free pay threshold and deregulate parts of the economy. 'All laws that will be good for Poles will meet with my approval,' Nawrocki said in the televised interview on Monday. Tusk, in his remarks announcing the reshuffle, called on supporters not to despair after Nawrocki's presidential victory. 'No defeat, including the presidential election, justifies this mood or despair, this slackness, these thoughts of surrender… The time of post-election trauma definitely ends today,' the former European Council president said.
