In the sumptuous setting of the State Department, the nerve center of American diplomacy, Antony Blinken and the Vice-President of the United States, Kamala Harris, multiplied before President Macron the references to outstanding personalities in the history of Franco-French relations -American, from the Marquis de Lafayette to Benjamin Franklin, or even to "
the baguette
" designated Wednesday by Unesco world heritage of humanity.
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But the proximity to France was also very personal for the American secretary of state, who spent several years of his youth in France and speaks the language fluently.
"
France welcomed me, educated me, inspired me
," he said, stressing that "
those years had given him a lifelong love, the love of 'soccer' ', or football to be correct, and PSG
".
“I am delighted that Kylian Mbappé can work his magic with the Blues.
»
Anthony Blinken
"
So, while I could
n't be more proud to support the United States at the World Cup
, I am delighted that Kylian Mbappé can work his magic with the Blues and, Mr President, thank you for keeping him in Paris.
“, he said under the laughter of the room.
President Macron is on a three-day state visit to the United States and was received with great fanfare by President Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday ahead of an evening gala dinner.
The United States and France are both qualified for the round of 16 of the World Cup in Doha.
