The deep-rooted Franco-U.S. bond dates back to the founding of the United States in the late 18th century. The United States and France established diplomatic relations in 1778 following the United States’ declaration of independence from Great Britain. France provided key assistance to the United States as an ally during its war of independence. The two countries share common values and have parallel policies on most political, economic, and security issues (see US State Department).

United States is France’s fifth largest supplier and sixth-largest customer. France is the 5th largest investor in the U.S. stock market.

Interesting Facts about France

1. France is the largest country in the EU
2. Paris was originally a Roman city called “Lutetia”
3. The French invented the metric system, the decimalised way of counting and weighing,
4. France is the most visited country in the world: 83 million tourists in 2012.
5. The legal system in France is still largely influenced by Napoleon
6. The Louvre Museum in Paris was the most visited museum in the world in 2014
7. France was the first country to introduce the license plate
8. The French government gives medals to citizens who have “successfully raised several children with dignity.”
9. There’s only one STOP sign in the entire city of Paris.
10. All champagne is produced in the Champagne region in France, otherwise it is called sparkling wine.

French Economy

France is the world’s 5th largest economy. Within Europe, its economy is the third largest following the economies of Germany and UK. Based on statistics from the IMF World Economic Outlook Database, France’s exports accounted for about 22% of its GDP (about $567 billion). Given that the country’s population is around 67 million, per capita exports are around $8,514.

France has the 7th largest export economy in the world. It’s Top 10 exports include

1. Machines, engines, pumps: US$66.3 billion (11.7% of total exports)
2. Aircraft, spacecraft: $57.7 billion (10.2%)
3. Vehicles: $47.6 billion (8.4%)
4. Electronic equipment: $44 billion (7.8%)
5. Pharmaceuticals: $35.2 billion (6.2%)
6. Plastics: $23 billion (4.1%)
7. Oil: $22 billion (3.9%)
8. Beverages: $18.1 billion (3.2%)
9. Medical, technical equipment: $17.9 billion (3.2%)
10. Perfumes, cosmetics: $17.3 billion (3.1%)

Liberté-Egalité-Fraternité: Article 1 of the French Constitution stipulates “La France est une république indivisible, laïque, démocratique et sociale” which means that “France is a republic, indivisible, secular, democratic, and social.

Vive la France et vive les relations Franco-Américaines!

November 15, 2015; 11.46A

by