Recently Trump visited Paris. His visit highlights the shifting in global dynamics. As Trump is ready to hold their responsibility as the US president. The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, invited Trump to the opening ceremony of Notre Dame Cathedral. This invitation shows the importance of Trump at the global level. Furthermore, at this ceremony, Macron also praised Trump’s first term.
Trump will join the office in January 2025, but he is already making bold foreign policy moves. He was afraid of trade wars with Canada and Mexico. Trump warned Hamas about the hostages in Gaza. These actions by Trump highlight his central focus on power and his want to influence world leaders.
At the same time, President Biden faced strong opposition from critics. This criticism is due to pardoning his son Hunter Biden, who took steps against his message of fairness. It seems like Biden’s presence fades at a global level with time. And Trump got importance from world leaders. This shift explores America’s leadership style on the world stage.
It is also important to know that Trump’s return to power poses many complicated challenges for world leaders. He is famous for his strict policies and aggressive behavior. Trump’s priority is America’s interest and he often aligns with authoritarian figures. This strategy of Trump makes traditional allies uneasy. His second term could prove more threatening to NATO unity and Ukraine’s support. European nations are also afraid that Trump may improve the US relationship with Russia and introduce new tariffs on EU goods.
Macron’s invitation to US President Trump, celebrating Notre Dame Cathedral’s restoration, highlights the desire for Macron to position France as Europe’s leading power. This move has a special aim. It seems like he wants to fill the gap left by Germany after Angela Merkel’s departure. Macron always makes bold decisions that often create instability. This can be seen with his failed snap election at the start of this year. Making good collaboration with Trump risks further division, emphasizing European leaders to navigate efficiently between managing Trump’s influence and protecting their own regional and global priorities.
This invitation to Trump highlights that Macron wants to grow France’s image at the global level. This step permits Macron to gain an early diplomatic edge over different opponents like Germany’s Olaf Scholz.
Macron’s approach coincides with a decline in his domestic power. In line with Trump’s populist beliefs, the far-right National Rally Party poses a challenge to the stability of his government. In 2027, Marine Le Pen, a well-known far-right figure, has a good chance of upending France’s established political order.
This approach also brings to mind Macron and Trump’s previous relationship, which was characterized by mutual respect at first but was eventually strained by ideological disagreements. Their divergent opinions were brought to light by Macron’s call for a European army and Trump’s resistance to European unification. Deeply ingrained conflicts and conflicting interests make long-term alignment improbable, even though the gesture could temporarily restore goodwill.
While Emmanuel Macron, who is well-known for his support of democracy and resistance to extreme-right nationalism, is still far from Trump’s preferences in Europe, Donald Trump appears prepared to run for president again. Rather, Trump supports Viktor Orbán, the prime minister of Hungary, whose authoritarian policies—such as restricting democracy and regulating the judiciary—more closely reflect Trump’s own. Trump has openly shown his support for concentrated control by calling Orbán a “strong leader.”
Macron and Trump respect diplomatic connections despite their disagreements, which suggests that they may interact again.
Trump’s trip to Paris follows his nomination of Ivanka Trump’s father-in-law, Charles Kushner, to be the American ambassador to France. Trump’s pardon and Kushner’s criminal history make the nomination contentious; some believe it violates diplomatic standards. But it also shows that Trump has faith in his close group. This choice may provide Ivanka and Jared Kushner a chance to regain their worldwide notoriety and reestablish connections with high-level diplomatic circles.
