Paris – 18.06.2026: Following the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, French President Emmanuel Macron hosted US President Donald Trump on June 17, 2026, for a festive dinner at the Palace of Versailles. The occasion was the 250th anniversary of American independence. The meeting highlighted the historic significance of Versailles, where in 1783 the peace treaty was signed officially recognizing the independence of the USA from Great Britain.
The choice of the Palace of Versailles as the venue was a deliberate gesture by Macron to strengthen transatlantic relations. Versailles has been used for significant diplomatic events for centuries. Among others, King Louis XVI welcomed Benjamin Franklin here in 1782, and in the 19th and 20th centuries, there were meetings with international heads of state such as Tsar Nicholas II in 1896 and Queen Elizabeth II in 1957 and 1972.
The dinner was attended by about 30 guests and featured a menu of regional specialties from French cuisine, including asparagus with lobster and caviar as well as truffle chicken. US President Trump expressed his admiration for the splendor of the palace and jokingly commented: “Versailles, c’est pas du plaqué or, c’est du lourd.” (“Versailles is not just gold-plated, it’s the real deal.”)
A key outcome of the evening was the signing of a new 14-point agreement to end the conflict between the USA and Iran, which had erupted in February 2026. The agreement includes, among other things, a reconstruction fund of 300 billion US dollars for Iran. However, the USA does not commit to any financial contribution to this fund. This agreement received mixed reactions, especially due to the unclear stance of the US regarding Iran’s ballistic missiles and their further development.
Observers see the choice of the historic location and the lavish hospitality as an attempt by Macron to influence Trump and to strengthen German-American relations. Historian Fabien Oppermann said Macron systematically uses the iconic venue to emphasize France’s historic greatness and continuity in a diplomatic context.
Despite the symbolism of the event, there was also criticism: The agreement on the Iran conflict is considered insufficient by some because it leaves important security-related questions unanswered. Despite these differences, the dinner at the Palace of Versailles demonstrated the will of both countries to set new impulses in the spirit of diplomatic tradition.
Overall, the meeting underscores France’s efforts to consolidate its role on the international stage and to intensify American-French relations during a critical phase. Whether the agreements made will sustainably contribute to de-escalation of the Middle East conflict and deepen cooperation between the USA and France remains to be seen in the coming months.