In late February it was reported that President Donald Trump’s charge to the billionaire in his austerity plan included the decommissioning of U.S. consulates in several countries, including four in France, in Bordeaux, Lyon, Strasbourg and Rennes, cities of economic, tourist and demographic relevance.
According to the newspaper Le Figaro, without confirming or denying the information, a State Department spokesman said that Washington is evaluating its situation at the global level, in order to make sure that “it is in the best position to face modern challenges on behalf of the American people”.
In this sense, the newspaper recalls recent statements made by Idaho Republican Senator Jim Risch, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the upper house, who mentioned the necessary changes to reduce a plethora of federal bureaucracy in the State Department.
Meanwhile, the BFM TV channel assures that the eventual closure of the four consulates in French territory generates concerns among local authorities and the Diaspora.
The mayor of Strasbourg, Jeanne Barseghian, expressed regret for the consequences of the probable measure in the eastern German shepherd city, seat of international institutions such as the European Parliament and the European Council.
According to the mayor, quoted by the network, the closure of the Consulate in her city would not only affect U.S. ties with France, but also with Europe.
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