President Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron toasted to the longstanding friendship between the U.S. and France in a gesture of unity capping an official state visit marred by a rift over economic competition.
Speaking before a star-studded audience in attendance at Mr. Biden’s first official state dinner since taking office, both leaders drew from the two countries’ history of coming to one another’s defense in reaffirming their commitment to upholding the shared values that underpin the longstanding relationship.
“France was our first ally,” Mr. Biden said. “The first country to fly the American flag after our revolution.