In a wide-ranging unique interview with ABC Information’ David Muir, French President Emmanuel Macron mentioned the “important goal” of his assembly with President Donald Trump on Monday was “to search out the precise deal as a way to open” the Strait of Hormuz and handle the escalating world vitality disaster that has triggered the value of fuel, diesel and jet gas to spike.
Macron advised Muir that when the battle began, “the Iranian regime found they’d this card of their arms,” of their capability to shut the strait. When requested whether or not that was a “blind spot” for Trump, Macron responded “I cannot right here blame anyone. We’re the place we’re. I believe the U.S — I imply, your nation — is the one capable of repair this difficulty, and we’d like you.”
He added that the state of affairs with the strait “was in all probability underestimated, and as we speak we’ve got to repair this difficulty.”
French President Emmanuel Macron speaks with David Muir, anchor for ABC World Information Tonight in New York Metropolis.
ABC Information
When Muir requested the French president whether or not he would provide up his nation’s navy to assist reopen the strait, Macron replied, “I do not need to interact in a confrontation with any nation, however we’re able to be extra engaged as a way to shield some capacities as a way to make this transit potential, sure.”
Macron additionally criticized the choice to go to battle within the first place, saying “Having a regime change by bombing a rustic is just not one thing I believe possible.” He added, “And for me, it isn’t an excellent possibility, as a result of it does not work. And we did this error a number of occasions previously a long time.”
Responding to Trump’s complaints that “The U.S. is spending a whole lot of billions of {dollars}, and [European allies] usually are not there for us,” Macron advised Muir France respects the U.S. and considers itself a “good ally.”
Macron added “However once you need to interact individuals, you strategize with them, and also you ask them earlier than launching a battle, and we determined to not be part of this battle as a result of we thought-about, and I nonetheless take into account, it was not the precise possibility.”
Russia-Ukraine: Macron says he has been capable of ‘persuade’ Trump
With Macron warning about intensifying Russian threats in the direction of Europe, Muir requested whether or not he believed Russian President Vladimir Putin when he mentioned Russia has “no aggressive intentions.”
France’s International Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and French President Emmanuel Macron arrive at Trump Tower in New York Metropolis, September 21, 2026, forward of a gathering with President Donald Trump.
Ludovic Marin/AFP by way of Getty Photos
“No,” Macron responded. “I do not purchase when President Putin say years in the past he wished peace and make peace. This isn’t true. And I do not purchase when he say he does not — he isn’t aggressive with — with Europeans. This isn’t true.”
Macron advised Muir he had a “excellent dialogue” with Trump relating to Russia’s battle in Ukraine whereas in New York this week.
“My conviction is that your president has a good evaluation now of the state of affairs, that Russia is just not delivering what they wished, that Ukraine is resisting with plenty of bravery and innovation, and that we’ve got to assist them,” he mentioned.
Requested about his relationship with Trump, Macron advised Muir that he and Trump have a “excellent” relationship, and whereas they often disagree, “we’ve got at all times been extraordinarily frank to one another.”
The French president mentioned he believes Ukraine is an space the place he has been capable of “persuade” Trump.
“I believe on Ukraine we labored very laborious, a number of of us,” he mentioned. “I hope we alter his thoughts. And the truth that he received the conviction that Russia was overrated.”
Macron on Trump’s ‘unusual’ social media map: ‘Let’s not create new conflicts’
Through the interview Tuesday, Muir requested Macron about Trump’s latest social media submit exhibiting a map with the U.S. flag sprawling throughout North America, together with French territories off the coast of Canada.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron speaks throughout the 81st United Nations Basic Meeting on the United Nations Headquarters in New York Metropolis, September 22, 2026.
Timothy A. Clary/AFP by way of Getty Photos
“When requested in regards to the map, you mentioned, “Individuals have unusual concepts. They are saying unusual issues.” Did you inform President Trump you thought it was unusual?” Muir requested Macron.
“Sure, a number of occasions,” Macron responded.
“Actually, take a look at the state of affairs as we speak … Now we have a battle in Ukraine which is existential for the European safety. Now we have battle within the Center East … Now we have AI and all this technological race to, to not repair, however to coordinate and be sure that there may be not a race to the worst between China and the U.S … .Now we have ample subjects to be fastened. Let’s not create new conflicts and new tensions,” Macron advised Muir.
And as Trump calls AI fears a “hoax,” Macron mentioned he takes issues that AI may pose a major risk to humanity “very critically.”
“That is why we’ve got to make it completely clear and to have visibility, cooperation, and construct new regulation on these penalties,” Macron advised Muir, whereas calling for a worldwide dialogue on the quickly creating expertise.
“I believe we should always make a distinction between a pause for the frontier mannequin and innovation and the way exactly to be environment friendly relating to the misuses. … It shouldn’t be simply the choice of the U.S. authorities,” he mentioned. “It is a necessity to have a correct dialogue between [the] U.S., China, Europe, and the remainder of the world … to cope with AI excesses and with AI dangers for our economies and nationwide securities.”
Macron on Trump’s arch: ‘These monuments are larger than ourselves’
Muir requested the French president about Trump’s proposed “Triumphal Arch,” which Trump has mentioned is impressed by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
“President Trump needs to construct an arch in Washington. He says it is gonna be just like the one in Paris, but it surely’ll blow it away,” Muir requested Macron.
Macron responded he has seen photos of the proposed arch, and had mentioned the Arc de Triomphe with President Trump “a number of occasions.”
Muir following up, asking “Is it gonna blow it away?”
“No,” Macron responded. “Paris will stay Paris and the Arc de Triomphe stay the Arc de Triomphe…These monuments are larger than ourselves.”
