Portrait of Marine Le Pen
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Marine Le Pen on Joe Biden

Critical of his policies (strong)

Marine Le Pen has consistently positioned herself as an opponent of Joe Biden's foreign and domestic policies, framing him as a representative of the globalist establishment she campaigns against.

Her criticism frequently targets the Biden administration's emphasis on international cooperation and multilateral institutions, which contrasts with her 'France First' economic nationalism and skepticism towards bodies like the EU and NATO.

While she has shown some nuance regarding US engagement, particularly compared to previous Democratic administrations, Le Pen maintains that Biden's approach undermines French national sovereignty and economic interests.

Context

As the leader of the National Rally (RN) and a recurring French presidential candidate, Marine Le Pen's stance on the sitting US President is significant for understanding her proposed foreign policy shift for France. Her political ideology emphasizes national sovereignty and economic protectionism, making the US-led liberal international order, often exemplified by Democratic administrations, a natural target for her critique.

Her goal is to establish France as an independent power, which necessitates a skeptical view of American global leadership under Joe Biden.

Timeline

  1. Marine Le Pen reacted to Joe Biden's inauguration, framing the transition as a moment for French policy divergence.
  2. During her 2022 presidential campaign, Le Pen contrasted her vision with the perceived alignment of her opponent, Emmanuel Macron, with US policies under Biden.
  3. Le Pen continued to express concerns about the broader impact of US foreign policy on European autonomy, which implicitly includes criticism of the Biden administration's approach to the post-Cold War security architecture.

Related Positions

  • NATO Alliance Le Pen has stated she would remove France from NATO's integrated military command, putting her at odds with the alliance structure strongly supported by the Biden administration.
  • European Union (EU) Her desire for a less federalized 'Europe of Nations' contrasts with the US, under Biden, often preferring a unified EU bloc for diplomatic engagement.
  • Economic Nationalism Her protectionist economic policies clash with the global trade framework that the Biden administration generally seeks to uphold and reform, rather than dismantle.

Comparison

  • Compared to Emmanuel Macron: Le Pen frequently contrasts her platform with President Macron, who generally maintains a close, transatlantic relationship with the Biden administration, positioning herself as the sovereignist alternative.
  • Compared to Donald Trump: Le Pen previously expressed support for Donald Trump's 'America First' approach, which shares some anti-globalist rhetoric with her own platform, making the Biden administration a clear ideological opponent on the world stage.
Sources5

* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.