By Lin Yuan
林源
French president Macron wrapped up his three-day US visit on December 2. Despite America’s efforts to put up an appearance of closeness, the two sides failed to reach an agreement on energy and trade issues.
12月2日，法国总统马克龙结束了为期3天的访美之行。访问期间，美国极力营造亲密盟友形象，但双方未能在能源问题、贸易问题上达成一致。
Analysts said the conflict between the US and France revealed the deep-seated rift between the US and Europe, and the barely holding-up trans-Atlantic partnership is set for more challenges down the road.
分析人士认为，美国与法国的矛盾暴露出美欧之间深层次的裂痕，貌合神离的跨大西洋伙伴关系今后或将面临更多挑战。
US tried hard at a public display of affection.
美国极力“秀恩爱”
This was Macron’s second state visit to the US since he became French president in 2017, and the host was trying very hard to demonstrate solidarity between the two countries.
此行是马克龙2017年就任法国总统以来，第二次对美国进行国事访问，美国极力通过此次访问展现与法国的“团结姿态”。
To begin with, Macron was welcomed with high-profile and high-level hospitality. He is the first foreign leader received by Biden following the state visit protocol. During the visit, Biden called France America’s best partner, as Washington wanted to showcase their lasting friendship and vigorous bilateral ties.
一方面，高调示好热情款待。马克龙是拜登政府首位以国事访问规格接待的外国领导人。在马克龙访美期间，拜登表示，“法国是美国最好的合作伙伴”，美方希望通过此次访问展现两国双边关系的“持久友谊与活力”。
The White House also made a big fanfare over the achievements of the visit. Biden and Macron released a joint statement after their meeting at the White House, in which both sides pledged to intensify cooperation in enhancing global security, tackling climate change, and strengthening strategic resources management and defense security.
另一方面，极力宣扬会晤成果。拜登与马克龙在白宫进行会晤后发表联合声明，双方表示将在增进全球安全、应对气候变化、加强战略资源管理及防务安全方面强化合作。
France minced no words about its dissatisfaction.
法国直言“不满意”
The Inflation Reduction Act signed by Biden in August this year contained a slew of incentives including high subsidies to boost the production and application of electric vehicles and other green technologies in the US. The EU thought some of the articles in the Act were suspicious of trade protectionism, and the two presidents had heated discussions on the economic and trade subject during the visit.
今年8月，拜登签署《通胀削减法案》，出台包括高额补贴在内的大量激励措施，推动电动汽车和其他绿色技术在美国本土生产和应用，而欧盟则认为法案部分内容涉嫌贸易保护主义。访问期间，双方仍围绕上述经贸议题展开“激烈交锋”。
France gave a public warning. When meeting with American Congress members of the two houses and business leaders on November 30, Macron pointed out that the industrial subsidy policy in the Inflation Reduction Act was trying to solve America’s problems at the expense of Europe’s benefit. He warned that such discriminatory subsidies may seriously hinder US-Europe relations and even cause a division in the western world.
其一，法国公开“警告”。11月30日，马克龙在与美国国会两党议员及商界领袖会面时指出，《通胀削减法案》中的产业补贴政策是在以损害欧洲利益的方式解决美国问题。马克龙警告称，美国的“歧视性补贴”可能会成为阻碍美欧关系的重要因素，进而导致“西方分裂”。
US replied with a blunt no. During the meeting with Biden, Macron’s suggestion that the US side revises the Act and give European companies immunity was met with a direct no from the host, who said the US would never apologize for the Act, although it might fine-tune specific policies.
其二，美国强硬“说不”。马克龙在与拜登会晤期间表示希望美国方面可以修改《通胀削减法案》，给予欧洲公司豁免的诉求，拜登对此直接拒绝。拜登表示，可能会在具体政策上对该法案作出细微调整，但美国不会为该法案道歉。
Western media commented that first the US suddenly pulled its troops out of Afghanistan without touching base with the NATO allies; then it secretly signed a nuclear submarine agreement with the UK and Australia, which cost France a huge deal; and now it is making a fortune out of war by selling energy and weapons and undercutting the European industry with competitive subsidy. Indeed, Uncle Sam has over and over thrown its allies under the bus at critical junctures without giving a heads-up.
西方媒体评论称，此前，美国没有征求北约盟友意见，突然从阿富汗撤军。此外，还与英国、澳大利亚暗地里签署核潜艇协议，让法国损失“世纪合同”。如今，美国又靠能源和武器大发战争财、用竞争性补贴“掏空”欧洲工业，可谓一次又一次在关键时刻招呼都不打地抛弃盟友。
US-France alliance is hard to repair.
盟友关系“难修复”
Analysts said the US has never hesitated to harm the allies’ interests to protect its own. The Inflation Reduction Act has aroused strong discontent in European countries because it added to the strain on Europe which was already mired in an energy and livelihood crisis. The cross-Atlantic partnership is believed to face a grave challenge.
分析人士指出，美国一贯为维护自身利益而不惜损害盟友利益。其《通胀削减法案》在欧洲遭遇能源危机、民生陷入困境之际推出，使欧洲经济雪上加霜，因此引发欧洲国家强烈不满。外界认为，跨大西洋伙伴关系面临严峻挑战。
Taking the opportunity of the changing security situation in Europe, the US government has made a series of moves in 2022 leveraging its energy independence and domination in technology and war preparedness. In contrast, Europe has been hit hard by an energy crisis for following the US sanctioning Russia, its central bank is cornered by the US Fed’s massive hike in interest rate, and the development of a European force has made little progress due to America’s obstruction. As Europe can neither shake off its reliance on the US nor form internal cohesion in the foreseeable future, the cross-Atlantic partnership with America as a leader and Europe as the follower won’t change soon, nor will the strategic landscape in which the US stands to benefit at the price of Europe’s losses.
今年以来，美国政府借助欧洲地区安全形势变化谋篇布局，其在能源上享有自主权，在技术和军备领域占据主导地位。相比之下，欧洲因追随美国对俄制裁而遭受能源危机的痛击、欧洲央行在美联储大幅加息的逼迫下陷入困境、“欧洲军”建设发展也因美国的阻碍进展缓慢。在可预见的未来，由于欧洲对美依赖性难消弭、内部凝聚力难成型，“美主欧从”的跨大西洋伙伴关系格局难以改变，“美盈欧亏”的战略利益形势难以扭转。
In general, the Biden administration is still following the “America first” diplomatic policy in spite of its ostensible efforts to side with allies. Its divergences with France or Europe on technology, energy, market and other matters manifest the conflict between the EU’s desire for independence and America’s pursuit of self-interests. As long as both sides hold fast to their current positions, the rift across the Atlantic may keep widening.
从根本上看，拜登政府表面上拉拢盟友、频繁示好，但其外交政策仍然秉持“美国优先”的思维模式。美法及美欧在技术、能源和市场等方面的分歧，实际上是欧盟独立自主和美国利益优先之间的冲突。只要双方的立场不变，跨大西洋裂痕就可能继续扩大。
