On November 15-17, 1975, President Ford attended the International Economic Summit hosted by French President Valery Giscard d’Estaing in Rambouillet, France.Â
Chancellor Helmut Schmidt of Germany, Prime Minister Harold Wilson of Great Britain, Prime Minister Takeo Miki of Japan, and Prime Minister Aldo Moro of Italy also participated in the meeting, a precursor to the G7 summits.
The summit provided world leaders with an opportunity to discuss their common economic problems and work together towards solutions. Economic recovery and coordination served as the overall focus for the summit. The more specific issues discussed included trade, energy, monetary policy, and developing countries. In addition to the summit’s group sessions, President Ford also met individually with the other leaders for bilateral talks.
“Over the past three days, in this beautiful setting, we have found a new spirit, a spirit of cooperation and confidence stemming from a deeper understanding of our common destiny and our joint conviction that free peoples can master their future,” President Ford said in a statement at the summit’s conclusion on November 17. “We conclude this conference with a sense of determination to carry forward this work which has been so promisingly begun.”
Image:Â President Gerald R. Ford and French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing Walking outside of the Chateau de Rambouillet during the International Economic Summit Conference in Rambouillet, France, 11/17/1975
