france us state visit

Watch CBS News

Biden calls France "our first friend" and enduring ally during state visit in Paris

Updated on: June 8, 2024 / 8:09 PM EDT / AP

President Biden said France was America's "first friend" at its founding and is one of its closest allies more than two centuries later as he was honored with a state visit Saturday by French President Emmanuel Macron aimed at showing off their partnership on global security issues and easing past trade tensions.

Mr. Biden and Macron attended ceremonies marking the  80th anniversary of D-Day  on Thursday and met separately the following day with  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris . The leaders both used those engagements used to underscore the urgent need to support Kyiv's fight against Russia's invasion.

But Macron and Mr. Biden have often chafed at the pace of support for Ukraine, especially as the United States, by far the largest contributor to Kyiv's defense, was forced to pause aid shipments for months while congressional Republicans held up an assistance package.

The state visit began with a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe, including a wreath-laying at France's tomb of the unknown soldier, and a military parade along the Champs-Élysées leading to the Élysée Palace, where the two held official meetings and delivered public statements. Later, there was a state dinner held at the palace for Mr. Biden and his wife, first lady Jill Biden.

"United we stand, divided we fall," Macron said in toasting Mr. Biden at the state dinner. "Allied we are and allied we will stay."  

The American president followed Macron's toast by saying the U.S. and France have been "unyielding as well as unwavering in our partnership," adding, "That's what democracies do."  

Mr. Biden and Macron put the war in Ukraine at the top of Saturday's agenda, but it was the strength of the countries' long alliance, fortified at Normandy 80 years ago but with roots far deeper, that was the centerpiece of the weekend.

Calling himself a student of French history, Biden said the visit was a "great honor" and he noted that America's ties to France date to the Revolutionary War.

"France was our first friend," Mr. Biden said. "It remains one of our best friends."

Macron praised Mr. Biden as not just the leader of a world power but also for bringing the "clarity and loyalty of a partner that loves and respects the Europeans."

It appeared to be a subtle criticism of former President Donald Trump, whose "America First" foreign policy has shaken European leaders. They are now contending, gingerly, with the possibility of his return to power next year should the presumptive Republican nominee defeat the Democratic incumbent in November's election.

Macron hosted Trump for Bastille Day in 2017, and the French president came to Washington for a state visit in 2018 before their relationship soured.

Despite disagreements over whether to send allies trainers onto Ukrainian soil to support the country's defense against Russia's invasion, Macron insisted that, "I think we see eye to eye on this war raging in Ukraine. He tempered his previous concerns about U.S. commitment to Europe — which he has used to argue that the continent must do more to provide for its own defense — to praise Biden's leadership: "Thank you for being at Europe's side."

Macron expressed hope that when the Group of Seven leaders meet this coming week in Italy they will agree to a $50 billion "solidarity fund" for Ukraine that will be backed by sanctioned Russian assets.

The two leaders also celebrated the rescue Saturday by Israeli forces of four hostages taken by Hamas. "We won't stop working until all the hostages come home and a cease-fire is reached," Biden said as Macron called out the Israeli government for not doing more to get humanitarian assistance into Gaza.

Macron said he supported a Biden-promoted cease-fire proposal that would allow a surge of humanitarian assistance into the territory and allow for the release of more hostages. The U.S. has said it is awaiting Hamas' formal response to the potential deal.

The French leader raised the issue of U.S. trade practices that he has often criticized, including the Inflation Reduction Act, which favors American-made climate technology such as electric vehicles. Macron said the U.S., like China, has "decided not to respect the rules of global trade" by shoring up protections and subsidies while Europe's industry remains open and is stuck in overregulation.

As the pair met outside the palace, Biden appeared to suggest to his host that that the U.S. and Europe could "coordinate together," and he was heard telling Macron about his most recent conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who was objecting to steep U.S. tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

Biden hosted Macron in December 2022 at the White House for  the first state visit of his presidency  as the COVID-19 pandemic receded.

As the president's trip draws to a close, the far right is likely to emerge as one of the biggest winners in Sunday's European Parliament election while Macron's pro-European Union movement is flagging.

• Biden Administration
• Emmanuel Macron
• European Union

More from CBS News

Israel hammers Hezbollah as U.S. and France push for a cease-fire

Trump meets with Zelenskyy, vowing to resolve Ukraine war "very quickly"

Harris vows to keep Biden's border crackdown

U.S., Australia, U.K. alliance sharpens its focus on China deterrence

'A moving experience': Biden honored with state visit in France amid tensions over wars

PARIS – It was a grand fête thrown by America’s oldest friend.

French President Emmanuel Macron honored President Joe Biden on Saturday with all the pomp and pageantry of an official state visit as the two leaders sought to show solidarity and fraternité amid ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza and tensions over trade issues that have at times tested the two-centuries-old Franco-American alliance.

The celebration started with an elaborate welcome ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe and continued with a state banquet in Biden’s honor Saturday night.

“France was our first friend and remains one of our best friends,” Biden said at a joint appearance with Macron at the Élysée Palace, the official residence of the French leader.

Biden arrived in France earlier this week to participate in events marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day , when U.S. and allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy to free France from the grip of Nazi Germany. But hanging over the celebrations of the allied victory during World War II was the uncertainty of the wars in Ukraine and Gaza .

Biden met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zeleneskyy in Paris on Friday and announced another $225 million to help the war-torn country reconstruct its electric grid. He and Macron discussed both wars and other issues of mutual interest during a meeting Saturday at the presidential palace.

Afterward, Biden warned that all of Europe would be in danger if Russian President Vladimir Putin wins his war against Ukraine.

Honor flight: On D-Day, they changed the world. 80 years later, an incredible journey takes them back.

“Putin’s not going to stop at Ukraine,” Biden said, with Macron at his side. “It’s not just Ukraine. It’s more than Ukraine. All of Europe will be threatened.”

“We’re not going to let that happen,” he added. “We will not walk away.”

Macron stressed that France and the United States “see eye to eye” on the war in Ukraine. He thanked Biden for taking what he called “a critical role” on Ukraine and reiterated France’s support for a cease-fire and hostage deal the Biden administration is pushing to end the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

France has yet to agree to a Biden plan for a $50 billion loan assistance package for Ukraine that would use interest from frozen Russian assets held in Western financial institutions. But Macron expressed hope that the package would win the approval of the Group of Seven allies who are meeting next week in Italy.

Remembering the heroes: Biden on D-Day anniversary and Normandy landings: 'Let us be worthy of their sacrifice'

Apart from the talk of war, however, was all the spectacle of a state visit, French style.

At the welcome ceremony earlier Saturday, Biden and first lady Jill Biden joined Macron and his wife Brigitte at the Arc de Triomphe, a monument to French soldiers who fought and died in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars.

Biden and Macron watched as soldiers laid a floral wreath beside the eternal flame that burns beside the monument's Tomb of the Unknown Solider. Four military jets flew overhead in formation. The two leaders and their spouses signed a guest book, shook hands with some uniformed officers and then proceeded down the Champs-Élysées to the presidential palace.

“It was a moving experience for a student of French history,” Biden said later.

At the state dinner in Biden's honor, Macron toasted the enduring friendship between the two countries. “We are allies and will remain allies,” he said, as glasses were clinked and raised.

Biden said his time in France “has been the most remarkable trip I’ve ever made.”

“France and the United States have always been there for one another,” he said, adding that the two countries stand together “to defend the very values that are the soul of our two nations.”

He then asked everyone to raise a glass and concluded: “May we continue to seek democracy … and may we always stay together.”

'The Americans are landing': A grandmother's 80-year-old diary documents opening of D-Day

Biden and Macron have a had a friendly, but at times testy relationship.

Just a few months after Biden took office, France complained that it had been stiffed after the U.S. announced a submarine deal with the United Kingdom and Australia, causing the Aussies to cancel a contract to buy submarines for the French.

A contrite Biden acknowledged the U.S. had been “clumsy” in how it handled the announcement. He later hosted the Macrons at a state dinner at the White House, the first of his presidency.

France and other European countries also have griped about the Inflation Reduction Act, which Biden signed into law in 2022. European officials argue the law is designed to protect American interests and punishes their manufacturers because it offers tax breaks and subsidies to U.S. companies that produce clean-energy products, in particular electric vehicles and solar panels.

Still, the White House insists transatlantic relations between the two countries are strong.

“One of the things the president respects and admires so much about President Macron is that he's as honest and as forthright as Joe Biden is,” said John Kirby, the White House spokesman on national security issues. “That's what he wants to see in a friend and an ally – you know, an ability to shoot straight, say what's on your mind.”

Michael Collins covers the White House. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @mcollinsNEWS.

'An incredible education': As Joe Biden marks D-Day anniversary, he faces a world again embroiled in conflict

Chris Megerian, Associated Press Chris Megerian, Associated Press

Zeke Miller, Associated Press Zeke Miller, Associated Press

Sylvie Corbet, Associated Press Sylvie Corbet, Associated Press

Leave your feedback

• Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/watch-biden-and-french-president-macron-affirm-close-alliance-during-state-visit-in-paris

WATCH: Biden and French President Macron affirm close alliance during state visit in Paris

PARIS (AP) — President Joe Biden said France was America’s “first friend” at its founding and is one of its closest allies more than two centuries later as he was honored with a state visit Saturday by French President Emmanuel Macron aimed at showing off their partnership on global security issues and easing past trade tensions.

“United we stand, divided we fall,” Macron said in toasting Biden at a state dinner. “Allied we are and allied we will stay.”

Biden and Macron attended ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day on Thursday and met separately the following day with  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris . The leaders both used those engagements used to underscore the urgent need to support Kyiv’s fight against Russia’s invasion.

WATCH: Veterans, world leaders gather in Normandy to mark 80th anniversary of D-Day invasion

The state visit began Saturday with a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe, including a wreath-laying at France’s tomb of the unknown soldier, and a military parade along the Champs-Élysées leading to the Élysée Palace, where the two held official meetings and delivered public statements. Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, hosted a state dinner at the palace for Biden and his wife, Jill.

The American president followed Macron’s toast by saying the U.S. and France have been “unyielding as well as unwavering in our partnership,” adding, “That’s what democracies do.”

Biden and Macron put the war in Ukraine at the top of Saturday’s agenda, but it was the strength of the countries’ long alliance, fortified at Normandy 80 years ago but with roots far deeper, that was the centerpiece of the weekend.

Calling himself a student of French history, Biden said the visit was a “great honor” and he noted that America’s ties to France date to the Revolutionary War.

“France was our first friend,” Biden said. “It remains one of our best friends.”

Macron praised Biden as not just the leader of a world power but also for bringing the “clarity and loyalty of a partner that loves and respects the Europeans.”

It appeared to be a subtle criticism of former President Donald Trump, whose “America First” foreign policy has shaken European leaders. They are now contending, gingerly, with the possibility of his return to power next year should the presumptive Republican nominee defeat the Democratic incumbent in November’s election.

Later, in a statement of principles that the presidents called a road map, they cited the legacy of the U.S.-French relationship and “the price for peace and freedom” paid by past generations in reaffirming their commitment to “a Europe, whole, free and at peace.”

Macron hosted Trump for Bastille Day in 2017, and the French president came to Washington for a state visit in 2018 before their relationship soured.

Despite disagreements over whether to send allies trainers onto Ukrainian soil to support the country’s defense against Russia’s invasion, Macron insisted that, “I think we see eye to eye on this war raging in Ukraine. He tempered his previous concerns about U.S. commitment to Europe — which he has used to argue that the continent must do more to provide for its own defense — to praise Biden’s leadership: “Thank you for being at Europe’s side.”

WATCH: Biden apologizes to Zelenskyy for delay in Ukraine aid, hampering fight against Russia

Macron expressed hope that when the Group of Seven leaders meet this coming week in Italy they will agree to a $50 billion “solidarity fund” for Ukraine that will be backed by sanctioned Russian assets.

The two leaders also celebrated the rescue Saturday by Israeli forces of four hostages taken by Hamas. “We won’t stop working until all the hostages come home and a cease-fire is reached,” Biden said as Macron called out the Israeli government for not doing more to get humanitarian assistance into Gaza.

Macron said he supported a Biden-promoted cease-fire proposal that would allow a surge of humanitarian assistance into the territory and allow for the release of more hostages. The U.S. has said it is awaiting Hamas’ formal response to the potential deal.

The French leader raised the issue of U.S. trade practices that he has often criticized, including the Inflation Reduction Act, which favors American-made climate technology such as electric vehicles. Macron said the U.S., like China, has “decided not to respect the rules of global trade” by shoring up protections and subsidies while Europe’s industry remains open and is stuck in overregulation.

As the pair met outside the palace, Biden appeared to suggest to his host that that the U.S. and Europe could “coordinate together,” and he was heard telling Macron about his most recent conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who was objecting to steep U.S. tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

Biden hosted Macron in December 2022 at the White House for the first state visit of his presidency as the COVID-19 pandemic receded.

Among the attendees at Saturday’s dinner was World War II veteran Harold Terens and his sweetheart Jeanne Swerlin, who were married Saturday inland of the D-Day beaches in Normandy, France.

“Congrats to newlyweds,” Macron said, leading the crowd in cheers and applause.

As the president’s trip draws to a close, the far right is likely to emerge as one of the biggest winners in Sunday’s European Parliament election while Macron’s pro-European Union movement is flagging.

Support Provided By: Learn more

Educate your inbox

Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else.

Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm.

Macron hosts Biden for a state visit heavy on pomp, circumstance and war

The U.S. president’s five-day trip to France, which thus far has focused on commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day, now shifts to address modern-day challenges and conflicts

PARIS — President Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron met Saturday for a state visit heavy on pomp, circumstance and history, which also forced the two men to confront pressing global matters including two wars and other issues that have exposed rifts between the United States and its oldest ally.

Biden’s five-day trip to France, which thus far has focused on commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day, now shifts to address modern-day challenges, with intractable conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza dominating the agenda.

The meeting began with an arrival ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe, followed by a military parade down the Champs-Élysées. In the evening, they attended a lavish state dinner at the Élysée Palace. In between the scenes of ceremonial fanfare, Biden and Macron spent considerable time in meetings with their top aides trying to find consensus on key matters of policy.

After a working lunch, Biden and Macron made statements to the news media but took no questions. Biden said the two leaders were mostly aligned on continued assistance for Ukraine. He mentioned a $61 billion defense aid package for the beleaguered country, apologizing for its six-month delay getting through Congress. But he stressed that help from the United States would continue to flow.

“You know [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s not going to stop at Ukraine. All of Europe will be threatened,” he said. “The United States is not going to let that happen. … We will not walk away.”

But mostly, Biden spoke of the comity between the two countries, calling France the United States’ “first friend” and thanking Macron for the hospitality shown to America and its veterans during D-Day commemorations this week.

“This week, we have shown the world once again the power of allies and what we can achieve when we stand together,” Biden said.

Macron spoke for considerably longer than Biden, touching on several geopolitical issues, including one the two presidents disagree on: the war in the Middle East.

“After nine months of conflict, the situation in Rafah and the human consequences are unacceptable,” Macron said through an interpreter. “It is not acceptable that Israel shouldn’t open up all checkpoints to humanitarian aid as has been requested by the United Nations for months.”

While the mood all week has been congenial, Macron’s willingness to speak candidly — occasionally publicly breaking with the United States on key matters — has at times caused headaches for U.S. officials.

Macron has floated sending NATO troops into Ukraine to battle Russia, even as Biden has repeatedly declared that no U.S. service members will participate in that war. The French president has expressed outrage over Israel’s assault on Gaza, calling for an immediate and permanent cease-fire even as Biden has maintained his staunch support for the Israelis. Macron has openly warned that Europe needs to assert more control over its own affairs rather than relying on leadership from the United States, where political turbulence in recent years has rendered Washington less effective.

“However strong our alliance with America is, we are not a priority for them,” Macron said in April during a speech on Europe at Sorbonne University. “They have two priorities: themselves — fair enough — and China.”

U.S. officials say that despite the differences, the bilateral relationship remains as strong as ever, and the alignment between Washington and Paris will be on full display during the state visit. With key elections set to take place in both countries this year, Biden and Macron are aligned in their desire to beat back the advancement of right-wing nationalist impulses in their nations, represented by former president Donald Trump in the United States and Marine Le Pen’s National Rally in France.

Biden and Macron also announced plans to deepen their countries’ maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, expand their collaboration on humanitarian projects and disaster response, and increase their partnership on climate issues. The two men held separate meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris on Friday, and their public statements afterward revealed the gap that exists between the United States and France on how best to halt Russia’s advances in Ukraine.

Biden apologized to Zelensky for the delay in the U.S. aid package for Kyiv, blaming Republican lawmakers for holding up the desperately needed funding. He pledged an additional $225 million in military support and said more funds would be on the way to help Ukraine defend itself.

“I assure you the United States is going to stand with you,” Biden said. “You are the bulwark against the aggression that’s taken place. We have an obligation to be there.”

While Biden was speaking metaphorically, Macron has increasingly leaned into the idea that Western troops should physically be there and stand with Ukrainian soldiers on their soil.

Macron said Friday that a coalition of countries had agreed to send military trainers to Ukraine, raising the prospect that troops from NATO nations will soon be in the war-torn country.

“We are going to use the coming days to finalize a coalition, as broad as possible,” he said.

Biden has long rejected the prospect of putting American troops on the ground in Ukraine, a position he has held from the beginning of the conflict and one aides say he is unlikely to change. Biden has expressed concern about escalating the war with Russia or provoking Putin to broaden the war beyond Ukraine’s borders.

The war in Gaza was also on the agenda during the bilateral meeting. Macron has increasingly expressed his concern about Israel’s conduct, calling recent deadly attacks in Rafah unacceptable and urging a cease-fire. Biden, who has grown more isolated on the world stage as he has stood by Israel touted his recent proposal for achieving a cease-fire, which would require Hamas militants to release hostages being held in Gaza.

Biden has largely avoided talking about the situation in Gaza since landing in France on Wednesday, instead focusing on the war in Ukraine as he has drawn comparisons between World War II and the largest war in Europe since then.

Biden has had limited engagements with the news media during his trip and has not held a news conference, which is traditionally a component of state visits and foreign trips by U.S. presidents.

Macron, who at 46 is significantly younger than the U.S. president and represents a brasher brand of politics, has become a key figure in the 81-year-old Biden’s presidency.

On the campaign trail, Biden often tells the story of one of his first meetings with Macron, during a Group of Seven meeting in 2021, to drive home a point about the importance of keeping Trump from returning to the White House. During the meeting, Biden says, he sat down before the other world leaders and declared “America is back.”

“And Macron looked at me and said, ‘For how long? For how long?’” Biden said at a recent fundraiser.

Biden and Macron plan to meet again next week at the G-7 meeting in Italy and next month at the NATO summit in Washington.

“These are not two men that are strangers to one another,” said National Security Council spokesman John Kirby. “And they’re not two men that are afraid to speak their minds. But that they may not see every issue perfectly the same way doesn’t mean that the relationship is weaker or hindered or in any way set back.”

Annabelle Timsit in Paris contributed to this report.

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Biden hosts French President Macron for the first state visit of his administration

President Biden will host a state dinner for France's President Emmanuel Macron. NPR's A Martinez talks to Alexandra de Hoop Scheffer of the German Marshall Fund, about the countries' relations.

Copyright © 2022 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.

Media Library

France in the United States

What are you in the mood for?

State Visit by President and Mrs. Macron (Nov. 30 – Dec. 2, 2022)

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden host President Emmanuel Macron and Mrs. Brigitte Macron of France for a State Visit to the United States, including a state dinner, on December 1, 2022.

This is the first State Visit of the Biden-Harris Administration. It underscores the deep and enduring relationship between the United States and France–the oldest allies–that is founded on our shared democratic values, economic ties, and defense and security cooperation. The leaders discuss together our continued close partnership on shared global challenges and areas of bilateral interest.

The State Visit marked a very special moment in our bilateral relationship. The President of France had extremely substantive discussions with his counterpart, President Joe Biden, which led to the publication of this important  joint statement. He also met with members of civil society and Congressional leaders to confer on climate change and biodiversity. He chaired working meetings on the topics that will shape the future of our partnership with the United States: space, civilian nuclear energy, and tech. During the second half of his visit, President Macron gave a keynote speech on French language and culture in New Orleans, Louisiana.

A longstanding alliance and friendship between France and the United States

August 30, 2023

Embassy/Press Office

President Macron’s State visit: New Orleans

December 9, 2022

New Orleans

“French For All” – A new comprehensive initiative to support equity in access to French language education in the United States

President Macron’s State visit: Day 3 – New Orleans [part 1/2]

President Macron’s State visit: Day 3 – New Orleans [part 2/2]

President Macron’s State visit: Meeting with the French community

President Macron’s State visit: Award of Medals to WWII Veterans

President Macron’s State Visit: Civil nuclear roundtable

President Macron’s State visit: State lunch

President Macron’s State visit: Arlington Cemetery

President Macron’s State Visit: The arrival

Blair House Senior Executive Chef James Sinopoli speaks ahead of President Macron’s State Visit

This MEDIA LIBRARY is developed by the Press and Communication Office of the Embassy of France in the United States.

While access to this resource is free, reproducing texts and images requires prior authorization from content producers. We do not manage copyrights from external sources and bear no responsibility for content.

© Copyright 2020 - 2024 | All Rights Reserved | Embassy of France in the United States | franceintheus.org

Mobile Menu Overlay

The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500

FACT SHEET: The U.S.-France Partnership

On the occasion of President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s visit to France to commemorate the 80 th  anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy and the State Visit hosted by President Emmanuel Macron of France, the United States is taking steps to deepen our relationship with France. As America’s oldest Ally – for nearly 250 years – France has been a likeminded and dependable partner in all of the world’s greatest challenges. In December 2022, President Biden hosted President Macron at the White House for the first State Visit of the Biden-Harris Administration. Since then, U.S. and French counterparts have continued to work closely to advance both Presidents’ vision to strengthen security and increase prosperity worldwide, combat climate change, build greater resilience to its effects, and advance democratic values. Today, President Biden and President Macron will meet in Paris, at the Elysée Palace, to discuss and deepen U.S.-France cooperation across a broad range of regional and thematic topics. Since the December 2022 State Visit in Washington, D.C., the United States and France have announced many new and continuing initiatives, some of which are listed here. SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT, SPACE, & TECHNOLOGY

• Furthering their commitment to develop and promote clean energy, the United States and France  launched  the  U.S.-France Bilateral Clean Energy Partnership  in Paris on December 14, 2021. This forum met again in Washington, D.C. on  October 27, 2022  and  May 22, 2024  in Paris, France. The United States and France also launched the  Nuclear Energy Small Group , with meetings July 6, 2023 in Paris and March 5, 2024 in Washington, D.C.
• Following the November 2021 commitment by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and French President Emmanuel Macron to ensure a whole-of-government approach to bilateral space cooperation, the United States and France launched the  U.S.-France Comprehensive Dialogue on Space.  The  first meeting  occurred November 10, 2022, Paris, France and the  second meeting  recently took place in Washington, D.C. on March 20-21, 2024. 
• On December 16, 2022, a SpaceX rocket carrying a  U.S.-French satellite with Surface Water Ocean Topography technology , designed to conduct the first global survey of Earth’s surface waters, launched from California. 
• The  James Webb Space Telescope , an international partnership between NASA and European Space Agency, with the support of French National Centre for Space Studies for the launched the  Mid-Infrared Instrument  in December 2021, with regular discoveries between 2022 and 2024. 
• The United States and France have continued a regular sequence of cyber dialogues with the  most recent , the sixth  U.S.-France Bilateral Cyber Dialogue , on March 11-12, 2024, in Washington, D.C.
• The United States and France signed a  joint statement  to enhance cooperation on  Quantum  in November 30, 2022, which built upon several agreements to enhance U.S.-France cooperation in science and technology, including an  Agreement on Science and Technology Cooperation  that was signed in Paris in October 2018, and a 2021  Joint Statement on Science and Technology Cooperation  that explicitly named quantum information science as an area where both sides endorsed continued research cooperation. 

DEFENSE & SECURITY

• The  U.S. and French Special Forces  signed a statement of intent in March 2024 to enhance their cooperation.
• The  U.S. Navy and French Navy  met for the  Second U.S.-French bilateral Strategic Dialogue  on naval interoperability on June 13-14, 2023, at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. 
• The United States held  consultations  with France on the  Indo-Pacific  in February 22, 2024, Washington, D.C., leading to the inaugural  Indo-Pacific Dialogue  with France on May 3, 2024 in Paris, led by Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell.  The next Dialogue will take place later in 2024.  The third  U.S.-France Indo-Pacific Strategic Dialogue  between the Department of Defense and Ministry of Armed Forces took place on February, 8, 2023.    

BUSINESS & TRADE

• To facilitate travel for French traders and investors coming to the United States, the United States extended the validity of  E1 and E2 visas  to four years effective November 21, 2023.  
• To strengthen cooperation between France and the United States in  customs matters and improve the facilitation of travelers and goods , U.S. and French counterparts signed a joint declaration of intent to strengthen  Franco-American Customs Cooperation  on May 23, 2024.

GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT

• To reinforce our shared commitment to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals and achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Agence Francaise de Developpement intend to establish a new approach to development coordination in the Indo-Pacific region. 
• The United States and France are building on longstanding collaboration in global health, and have been active in transforming the global financing architecture for global health, including to address pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.  The United States welcomes France’s leadership in hosting the Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, replenishment launch event and in co-hosting, alongside the African Union and Gavi, the  launch  of the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator and Gavi’s Investment Opportunity for 2026–2030 on June 20, 2024. The United States is committed to sustaining its longstanding support for Gavi and intends to make a multi-year pledge in support of this year’s replenishment, which we hope will leverage ambitious contributions from other donors.  The United States and France support resource mobilization for the Pandemic Fund and are working, under Italy’s G7 Presidency, to expand access to surge financing for medical countermeasures through their development finance institutions. 
• The United States participated in the  International Humanitarian Conference  on Sudan, hosted by France, Germany, and the European Commission on April 15, 2024.

FOOD SECURITY AND AGRICULTURE

• The United States and France are committed to mobilizing the international community around the issue of malnutrition in order to reach the Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome France hosting the 2025  Paris Nutrition for Growth Summit .
• The French Ministry of Agriculture National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment and the USDA’s Economic Research Service jointly organized a workshop, opening a dialogue on  research collaboration  on August 29, 2023.
• The USDA Agricultural Research Service, Agropolis International, and French partners in Montpellier organized a workshop on  Insect Transmitted Plant Vascular Bacterial Diseases , catalyzing collaboration on several projects on August 20, 2023.

JUSTICE / LAW ENFORCEMENT

• Cooperation between U.S. and French law enforcement and judicial offices led to the founder and majority owner of Bitzlato, a Cryptocurrency Exchange,  being charged  with unlicensed money transmitting on January 18, 2023.
• U.S. and French justice cooperation led to Nikolaos “Nikos” Bogonikolos, a Greek national,  being arrested  in Paris for wire fraud and smuggling on May 16, 2023.
• The  U.S.-French Fulbright Program  c elebrated its 75th anniversary in 2023 .
• In December 2022, the United States and France announced the  Generation250 student exchange program . Generation250 sends 250 French students to study or intern in the United States and 250 American students to study or intern in France. The United States and France commit to continuing to expand student exchanges.

Stay Connected

We'll be in touch with the latest information on how President Biden and his administration are working for the American people, as well as ways you can get involved and help our country build back better.

Opt in to send and receive text messages from President Biden.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement.

Replace or Certify Documents

Share this page:

Returning Your Absentee Ballot from Overseas

2024 u.s. election september 23, 2024.

Location: Worldwide

Event: For U.S. citizens who want to participate in the 2024 U.S. elections from overseas, now is the time to submit your voted ballot.

Many states require voted ballots to reach local election officials by the time polls close on election day (November 5, 2024).

Ballots can be dropped off at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to be returned to your local election office. Please ensure your ballot is addressed to your local election officials and is either placed in a postage-paid envelope or bears sufficient domestic U.S. postage. Transit time back to local election offices can take up to 20 days. We recommend you mail in your ballot before October 4, 2024, to ensure it is received in time. 

If your state allows, you may be able to return your voted ballot to your local election office electronically.

You can also consider returning your ballot via an express courier service at your own expense. Ballots sent via express courier do not receive standard postmarks. Voters using this method should confirm delivery will occur on or before November 5 prior to payment and shipment.  

U.S. embassies and consulates are not polling places. Check your state’s voting procedures at www.FVAP.gov for guidance.

If you registered to vote and requested an absentee ballot prior to your state’s registration deadline, but have not yet received your ballot, you can complete and return a Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB) and return it to your local election office. The FWAB is available at www.FVAP.gov , and can be returned using the same methods as mentioned above. If your regular ballot arrives later, complete and return it as well. Your FWAB will only be counted if your regular ballot does not reach local election officials by your state’s deadline. Your vote will not be counted twice.

• Visit www.vote.gov for more information on how to register to vote in your state.
• Visit www.FVAP.gov for more information on absentee voting from overseas, including the Federal Post Card Application and the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot.
• Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, or visit their webpage, for more information on the absentee voting process.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive information and alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency overseas.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and X/Twitter .

Enroll in STEP

Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad.

Recommended Web Browsers: Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

Make two copies of all of your travel documents in case of emergency, and leave one with a trusted friend or relative.

Export Assistance

Washington State is one of the country’s major export hubs, exporting nearly $80 billion in goods annually. The Department of Commerce offers businesses an experienced trade team that provides a range of support services, including advocacy, consulting, risk mitigation, market research, trade missions and trade show support, business matchmaking and custom programs, all designed to help Washington companies open doors to trade overseas and increase sales.

The Export Assistance Team within Commerce’s Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness has helped businesses statewide expand into trade or increase their exports and sales overseas. Over the last four years, the OEDC has assisted 5,296 small businesses, generating an additional $705.5 million in additional sales to international customers.

• Advocacy: If you run into any roadblocks with your exports, our trade experts can help you convey the importance of exporting and international trade and help you overcome any obstacles along the way, such as problems with shipping documentation, customs, logistics, visas, etc.
• Consulting: We can help you create an exporting plan, clarify international trade law issues, find an interpreter, and introduce you to foreign representatives and buyers to generate new international sales.
• Risk Mitigation: Entering a new market, even for an experienced exporter, can be complex. Our Export Finance Assistance Center can help you research your trading partners and customers to ensure they are credit worthy and sort out currency exchange and payment terms and issues.
• Market Research: Want to expand into a new market with exports but not sure whether it makes sense or not? We can help you analyze markets so that you can develop and execute your exports plan with complete confidence.
• Financing:  Our team can assist you identifying financing options and connect you with potential state, federal and private resources.
• Business Matchmaking: No need to spend endless hours and fruitless phone calls trying to reach the right person for your exports. Our trade experts conduct numerous business matchmaking opportunities, whether as part of a state trade mission or trade show, pre-requested buyer introduction, or an inbound visit by a foreign trade delegation or organization.

Export Voucher Program

Build My Export Plan

Commerce’s expanded network of 10 in-country consultants is now at work over 20 target regions. Working with our own trade and business development team, we’re raising Washington state’s profile and helping small businesses develop and grow through new markets and global partnerships.

• $310 billion of total exports from the U.S. in 2020
• $6.28 billion exported from Washington in 2020
• Export opportunities for WA companies include: agriculture, aerospace and defense, education and training, automotive, ICT, clean technology, medical devices, mining, travel and tourism
• $235 billion of total exports from the U.S. in 2020
• $1.282 billion exported from Washington in 2020
• Export opportunities for WA companies include: agriculture; agribusiness; auto parts and services; aerospace; education services; energy; environmental technology; franchising; housing and construction; packaging equipment; plastics and resins; security and safety equipment and services; information technology; transportation infrastructure equipment and services; and travel and tourism services
• $49.36 billion of total exports from the U.S. in 2020
• $203.8 million exported from Washington in 2020
• Export opportunities for WA companies include: energy; infrastructure; health; chemicals; defense and aviation; telecom; information and communications technology (ICT); education; franchising; and fintech

(UK, Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands)

• $468 billion of total exports from the U.S. in 2019, plus $109.2 billion export to the UK in 2020
• $2.8 billion exported from Washington in 2020, plus $1.48 billion export to the UK in 2020
• Export opportunities for WA companies include: aircraft and parts, ICT, optical and medical instruments, advanced manufacturing, agriculture, clean technology, maritime industry, education and training, electric vehicles and autonomous technologies, and fintech
• $20.1 billion of total exports from the U.S. in 2019
• $250 million exported from Washington in 2020
• Export opportunities for WA companies include: aircraft and parts, agriculture, optical and medical instruments, advanced manufacturing, ICT, clean technology
• $14.7 billion of total exports from the U.S. in 2020
• $460 million exported from Washington in 2020
• Export opportunities for WA companies include: Aerospace, aviation; cleantech and environmental technologies; Defense; Design and construction; Digital and information communications technologies; Healthcare and life sciences; Oil and gas; Renewable energy; Space
• $44.8 billion of total exports from the U.S. in 2020
• $731 million exported from Washington in 2020
• Export opportunities for WA companies include: Civil Aviation; Defense; Education; Energy; Environmental Technologies; Food and Agriculture Value Chain; Healthcare; Information & Communication Technology; Mining; Safety and Security
• $165.4 billion of total exports from the U.S. in 2020
• $9.1 billion exported from Washington in 2020
• Export opportunities for WA companies include: agriculture, aircraft and parts, optical and medical instruments, advanced manufacturing, ICT, clean technology, maritime industry

South Korea

• $51.7 billion of total exports from the U.S. in 2020
• $1.916 billion exported from Washington in 2020
• Export opportunities for WA companies include: agriculture, aircraft and parts, clean technology, maritime industry, optical and medical instruments, advanced manufacturing
•  $102 billion of total exports from the U.S. in 2020
• $4.8 billion exported from Washington in 2020
• Export opportunities for WA companies include: aircraft and parts, agriculture, cloud computing, cybersecurity, defense procurement, health IT, liquefied natural gas, nuclear decommissioning, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, semiconductors, travel and tourism
• $30.4 billion of total exports from the U.S. in 2020
• $1.36 billion exported from Washington in 2020
• Export opportunities for WA companies include: aerospace and defense, agriculture, education, electric power equipment and energy, machinery and tools, medical devices, telecommunications equipment, and travel and tourism

Australia/New Zealand

• $38.5 billion (Australia) and $10.8 billion (New Zealand) of total exports from the U.S. in 2020
• $621.8 million exported from Washington in 2020
• Export opportunities for WA companies include: defense, aircraft and parts, automotive parts, building products, cloud computing, medical equipment, mining equipment, oil and gas equipment, smart grid technology, recreational marine transportation, cosmetics, ICT, healthcare, and travel and tourism

Southeast Asia

(Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam)

• $75.54 billion of total exports from the U.S. in 2020
• $4.09 billion exported from Washington in 2020
• Export opportunities for WA companies include: healthcare and medtech, education, telecom, financial services, aircraft maintenance and repair, energy, defense, ICT, agriculture

The Washington State Department of Commerce, Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness office in downtown Seattle recruits volunteer interns on an ongoing basis. We ask that interns volunteer 10-20 hours per week, for a minimum term of three months.

Ideal candidates will be in their junior or senior year in college with a 3.3 GPA or higher, or have recently completed their degree, or be enrolled in a Master’s degree program.

In general, we look for responsible, reliable candidates who can work independently and have a genuine interest in international affairs, economic development, investment and trade. We value research and writing skills, Microsoft Office suite proficiency, critical thinking, foreign language capabilities, and diversity. 

• Ability to work independently
• Attention to detail
• Experience organizing events
• Writing experience, especially on a newspaper or newsletter
• Database, Excel, PowerPoint proficiency

Examples of duties/projects include:

• Assisting with Business Development activities and events
• Researching industries, business trends, incentives, investment statistics, workforce data
• Writing briefs and other content
• PowerPoint presentations, and related research
• Assisting on specific projects
• Quality control

Past interns have gone on to work with consulting firms, economic development agencies and international organizations.

To apply, please fill out the application form and press send. Then separately, email your cover letter and resume to [email protected] . 

Sub Navigation

Contact the Export Assistance team by phone at 206-256-6100.