President Obama responded to a question about French President Nicolas Sarkozy Tuesday by saying, “I listen to Nicolas all the time. I can’t stop listening to him.’’ Obama was poking fun at his ebullient guest, who tends to tell others what he thinks — and what they should do.
It was the kind of ribbing that is possible only in a friendly relationship. To appreciate the current amity between Paris and Washington, Americans need only recollect how venomous relations between the administration of George W. Bush and the government of French President Jacques Chirac had been. That breach was severe enough that House Republicans ordered the Capitol cafeteria to change the name of french fries to “freedom fries.’’
Sarkozy offered a glimpse of how much things have changed when describing relations between European leaders and Obama. When Obama says something, “he keeps his word,’’ Sarkozy affirmed. “When he can, he delivers. When he can’t, he says so. So there are no surprises. And we try to be likewise.’’
This is a diplomatic way of acknowledging that differences exist, but friendship trumps all. Sarkozy has made no secret of the fact that he is more eager than Obama to impose international regulations on the financial sector. Obama has been trying, unsuccessfully, to get France to provide more military trainers for the Afghan army. And the French agreement to sell Russia four Mistral-class warships did not go over well in Washington.
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell once joked that France and America have been in marriage counseling for 250 years. The therapy is working. It’s safe to enjoy Bordeaux and the Riviera. And french fries with ketchup.
