The French president said German carmakers, for whom the US is a major export market, are among the biggest victims of the IRA package, which curtails US-made electric cars. French carmakers do not export to the US, but France, a major car parts supplier, would be affected.
Energy issues will also figure prominently in talks at the White House, with France expected to boost nuclear energy cooperation. Macron wants France to build more nuclear reactors but it is grappling with corrosion issues at its older plants.
French utility EDF has drafted hundreds of specialized workers, including welders, from US nuclear plant maker Westinghouse to fix issues at France’s nuclear plants and help Europe avoid power cuts this winter.
An adviser to the French president said Macron would also travel to Louisiana, ostensibly to pay tribute to the state’s French heritage, but also to discuss energy issues.
French oil company TotalEnergies has a large Gulf of Mexico liquefied natural gas terminal in the state and Macron, who has complained about the high price of US gas exports, said he would raise the issue with Biden.
“The United States produces cheap gas, but sells it to us at a high price,” Macron told French officials on 8 November.
He said, “I think it is unfriendly and I will go to Washington at the end of the month in a spirit of friendship.