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France 24
France 24
National
FRANCE 24

Macron's 'Versailles diplomacy' yields mixed results after a decade in power

U.S. President Donald Trump, left, receives a tour of Chateau de Versailles from President Emmanuel Macron ahead of a dinner on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 in Versailles, France
US President Donald Trump receives a tour of Chateau de Versailles from President of France Emmanuel Macron ahead of a dinner, in France, on June 17, 2026. © Anna Moneymaker, AP

French President Emmanuel Macron courted his US counterpart Donald Trump at the G7 on Wednesday by opening the gilded gates of Versailles, a move that underscored his trademark blend of symbolism and diplomacy. While allies hailed the summit's success, analysts said Macron still faces the challenge of turning grand gestures into lasting influence.

When US President Donald Trump, flanked by the French president, signed the Iran memorandum in the opulent Palace of Versailles, the optics were vintage Emmanuel Macron: the full weight of French history, glamour and pomp deployed to win over a difficult counterpart.

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