Macron uses Versailles to keep Trump at G7

French President Emmanuel Macron has confirmed that he invited Donald Trump to a private dinner at the Palace of Versailles on Wednesday evening — a move that was as much diplomatic strategy as it was historic symbolism. Speaking to TF1 ahead of the G7 summit currently underway in Évian, Macron explained the reasoning behind the lavish venue: "It's a dinner to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence, because France played a role in it." He added that he would not be travelling to the United States for the Fourth of July, making this gathering France's own moment to honour the enduring bond between the two nations. But behind the pomp lies a pointed political calculation. Macron himself acknowledged that Trump had left the G7 summit in Canada last year before its conclusion. This time, the French president was taking no chances. With crucial discussions on digital regulation and artificial intelligence scheduled for Wednesday — the final day of the summit — Macron needed Trump in the room. What better incentive than an evening at the most iconic royal palace in the world? "He must stay until the end to help build agreements," Macron told TF1, in a rare moment of candour about the behind-the-scenes mechanics of international diplomacy. The choice of Versailles is far from incidental. The palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and enduring symbol of French grandeur, has historically been used by French leaders to impress and persuade foreign dignitaries. Macron has deployed it before — most notably during Xi Jinping's state visit — understanding that soft power sometimes speaks louder than policy briefs. What this episode reveals is a broader truth about modern diplomacy: in an era of transactional politics and unpredictable leaders, setting and spectacle have become tools of statecraft in their own right. Macron, long criticised for an overly theatrical style, may in fact be one of the few Western leaders who has mastered the art of keeping difficult allies at the table — quite literally. For Mauritius, which maintains strong historical and cultural ties with both France and the United States, the outcome of these G7 discussions on AI governance and digital trade could have downstream implications for the island's growing fintech and digital services sectors.