Foreign Affairs

Informal meeting of the Trade Ministers of the European Union (13-14 Feb. 2022)

The Informal meeting of the Trade Ministers of the European Union is an opportunity for open, strategic discussions on the EU's trade policy priorities. It is held in Marseille on 13-14 February 2022. Figures: in 2020, the EU's trade totalled ?3.646 trillion, making the Union the world's second largest trading power. Within the EU, 38 million jobs depend on European exports, including more than 4 million in France. In accordance with its priorities, focused on the implementation of an open, (...)

Updated: Mon Feb 14 2022

Iran - JCPoA - Q&A (11 Feb. 2022)

Q: On January 28, negotiations on the Iran nuclear deal were paused because the final stage of negotiations requires political decisions, according to the chief E3 negotiators. Since negotiations began again this week, do you have confirmation that these decisions have been made or do the hurdles remain the same? A: On February 8, discussions began again in Vienna after negotiators briefly returned to their capitals for consultations. Given the timeline, it is more urgent now than ever (...)

Updated: Mon Feb 14 2022

Press Briefing by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 3:34 P.M. EST MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Hey. Good afternoon, all. Q Hello. MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Happy Valentine's Day or Galentine's Day - whatever you celebrate. Hope everyone had a restful - a restful time after a big game last night. I can attest, here from the podium, there were some very...

Updated: Mon Feb 14 2022

Press Release: Nominations Sent to the Senate

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE: Philip S. Goldberg, of the District of Columbia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career Ambassador, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Korea. Carrin F. Patman, of Texas, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary...

Updated: Mon Feb 14 2022

Readout of President Biden's Call with Prime Minister Johnson of the United Kingdom

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom. The leaders discussed their recent diplomatic engagements with Ukraine and Russia. They also reviewed ongoing diplomatic and deterrence efforts in response to Russia's continued military build-up on Ukraine's borders and reaffirmed their support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. They...

Updated: Mon Feb 14 2022

Readout of White House Discussions with Conservation Leaders on $1.5 billion Investment and Implementation of the Bipartisan

Today, Senior Advisor and White House Infrastructure Implementation Coordinator Mitch Landrieu and other senior administration officials, including Sarah Greenberger the Associate Deputy Secretary at the Department of Interior, discussed how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will build a better America by investing in the conservation of and access to our public lands. Landrieu outlined the President's...

Updated: Mon Feb 14 2022

Remarks by Vice President Harris on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

South Court AuditoriumEisenhower Executive Office Building 2:56 P.M. EST THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thank you so much, Llulisa. I - it is part of the reason that we are so excited about this effort - it is because it's about investing in the future our nation, and that means investing in our future leaders and our...

Updated: Mon Feb 14 2022

Saudi Arabia - France strongly condemns the drone attack on the Abha airport (11 Feb. 2022)

France condemns in the strongest terms yesterday's Houthi attack on the Abha airport in southern Saudi Arabia, which injured several civilians. This attack, like the previous attacks targeting Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, threaten regional stability and confirm the gravity of the threat to the entire region that is posed by the proliferation of drones and missiles as well as the need to respond with regional political dialogue. France has reiterated its call for de-escalation (...)

Updated: Mon Feb 14 2022

Statement by President Biden Four Years After the Parkland Shooting

On February 14th, 2018, a gunman stole the lives of 14 students and 3 educators at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. It was the deadliest high school shooting in a nation with far too many of them, and it left another community - and our country - shattered by grief. On this...

Updated: Mon Feb 14 2022

Ukraine - Q&A - (11 Feb. 2022)

Q: Yesterday, the American authorities called on American citizens to leave Ukraine. Are the French authorities planning to make a similar request of French citizens in Ukraine? Generally speaking, what is your assessment of the situation in Ukraine? A: We are monitoring the situation with the utmost vigilance. We continue to work in close cooperation with all of our partners, especially those in (...)

Updated: Mon Feb 14 2022

Ukraine - the Normandy format - Q&A (11 Feb. 2022)

Q: Yesterday, the minister stated that if the Normandy format negotiations were to continue, that would be a positive sign. Russia and Ukraine said that no progress was achieved during the Berlin discussions and that there was no talk of dates for another meeting. What is your assessment of this meeting? Regarding the Normandy format, will technical discussions continue and, if so, with what frequency? A: The Normandy format advisors (Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine) who met in Berlin (...)

Updated: Mon Feb 14 2022

Background Press Call by a Senior Administration Official on the President's Call with Russian President Vladimir Putin

Via Teleconference 12:53 P.M. EST MODERATOR: Thanks, everyone, for joining us today. Today's call will be on background, attributed to a "senior administration official." And contents will be embargoed until the conclusion of the call. Today's speaker will be [senior administration official], who will have some comments at the top and then take a few questions. Over...

Updated: Sun Feb 13 2022

Readout of President Biden's Call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine. President Biden reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. President Biden made clear that the United States would respond swiftly and decisively, together with its Allies and partners, to any further Russian aggression against Ukraine. The...

Updated: Sun Feb 13 2022

Statement by White House Homeland Security Advisor Dr. Liz Sherwood-Randall

We are working closely with our Canadian counterparts to end the blockade of key bridges and crossings between the United States and Canada and to restore vital commerce between our two nations. Following the President's video teleconference with Prime Minister Trudeau on Friday, I spoke with Canadian National Security and Intelligence Advisor Jody Thomas again...

Updated: Sun Feb 13 2022

Readout of President Biden's Call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with President Vladimir Putin of Russia about Russia's escalating military buildup on the borders of Ukraine. President Biden was clear that, if Russia undertakes a further invasion of Ukraine, the United States together with our Allies and partners will respond decisively and impose swift and severe costs on...

Updated: Sat Feb 12 2022

FACT SHEET: Indo-Pacific Strategy of the United States

Read the full strategy here "We envision an Indo-Pacific that is open, connected, prosperous, resilient, and secure-and we are ready to work together with each of you to achieve it."President Joe Biden East Asia SummitOctober 27, 2021 The Biden-Harris Administration has made historic strides to restore American leadership in the Indo-Pacific and adapt its role...

Updated: Fri Feb 11 2022

Letter to the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate on Protecting Certain Property of Da Afghanistan Bank for the

Dear Madam Speaker: (Dear Madam President:) Pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby report that I have issued an Executive Order declaring a national emergency with respect to the widespread humanitarian crisis in...

Updated: Fri Feb 11 2022

One Ocean Summit - Jean-Yves Le Drian takes part in the One Ocean Summit (10-11 Feb. 2022)

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian will be taking part in the One Ocean Summit in Brest today and tomorrow. The February 9- 11th event, which was organized at the initiative of President Macron under the auspices of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union, serves to rally the international community around the ocean. Franck Riester, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign (...)

Updated: Fri Feb 11 2022

President Biden Announces 2 Diplomatic Nominees

WASHINGTON - Today, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to serve as key diplomats in his administration: Philip S. Goldberg, Nominee for Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Korea Carrin F. Patman, Nominee for Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Iceland Philip S. Goldberg, Nominee for...

Updated: Fri Feb 11 2022