French President Emmanuel Macron described a potential U.S. ban on diesel exports as 'catastrophic', saying 'you never have guarantees with Donald Trump. Never.'

Macron's remarks on U.S. diesel export threat

Macron's comments addressed Trump's threat to ban U.S. diesel exports, with the French president offering a stark assessment of the unpredictability surrounding the potential measure. His characterisation of the situation as offering no guarantees underscored the concern among European leaders about the economic implications of such a ban.

Russia troop mobilisation warning

Separately, Macron stated that Russia could be preparing to mobilize around 300,000 additional troops. He described this scenario as credible, citing intelligence from European, U.S., and Ukrainian sources.

Key points from Macron's statement

• Macron called a potential U.S. diesel export ban 'catastrophic'
• He stated there are no guarantees with Trump on the matter
• Russia is assessed as potentially preparing to mobilize around 300,000 additional troops
• The troop mobilisation scenario was described as credible based on European, U.S., and Ukrainian intelligence

France has become the first country to officially sign its Participation Contract for Expo 2030 Riyadh, marking a key milestone in the event’s international mobilization. The signing occurred in Paris during the visit of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia.

The ceremony was attended by H.H. Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE). Talal Al-Marri, Chief Executive Officer of Expo 2030 Riyadh, and Jacques Maire, Chairman of the Compagnie Française des Expositions (COFREX), executed the agreement.

Agreement Details

The contract formally establishes France’s participation in the six-month event, which runs from October 1, 2030, to March 31, 2031. It specifies the location and space allocated to the France Pavilion within the ‘Planet’ district. The document outlines the Pavilion’s theme, “Under One Sky,” and sets out the broad lines of the visitor experience.

According to COFREX, the Pavilion is built around four elements: sky, earth, fire, and water. The design aims to offer an immersive public experience while allowing French businesses to demonstrate capabilities related to ecological transition and planetary protection.

Event Momentum

Expo 2030 Riyadh will operate under the theme “Foresight for Tomorrow.” The organizers expect more than 200 official participants and 42 million visits across a 6 million square meter site divided into five distinct districts. The milestone follows the recent signing of the See Agreement between Saudi Arabia and the BIE.

Talal Al-Marri noted that France brings deep expertise in culture, innovation, and visitor experience creation. He stated that the signing demonstrates strong momentum behind international participation for the Riyadh event.

Following the exhibition, the site is planned to evolve into a permanent global village, creating a lasting legacy for Riyadh and Saudi Arabia.