Secretary of State Blinken to Meet with French President Macron

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in France, his latest stop in a multination tour, where he will meet Friday with President Emmanuel Macron, following up on U.S. President Joe Biden's recent meetings with allies in the region to boost transatlantic relations. 

"During this trip to engage with the United States' oldest ally, Secretary Blinken will emphasize the importance of maintaining transatlantic cooperation, addressing our joint response to the ongoing health crisis, tackling the climate crisis, and highlighting the strength of our long-standing bilateral partnership," the State Department said Thursday in a statement.  France continues to be "a steadfast partner in the fight against terrorism," the State Department said, adding the two countries "agree on the need to hold Russia accountable for its aggressive and destabilizing activities, including in Ukraine."  The U.S. and France collaborate on issues like "human rights, economic coercion and corruption" to counter the People's Republic of China's efforts to "erode the values and institutions that undergird the rules-based international order."