Nursing grievances from a weekend visit to France, President Donald Trump lit into French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday over his suggestion for a European defense force, over French tariffs on U.S. wine and even Macron’s approval ratings.
The litany of tweeted complaints served to underscore tensions between the once-chummy leaders and laid bare Trump’s irritation over criticism stemming from his latest trip abroad.
Trump’s tweets included a fresh complaint about Macron’s recent suggestion that Europe build up its militaries because the continent can no longer depend on the U.S. for defense. He misrepresented the French leader’s comments along the way, even though the two presidents had talked through the issue while Trump was in France over the weekend for events marking the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.
“Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the U.S., China and Russia,” Trump tweeted. “But it was Germany in World Wars One & Two – How did that work out for France? They were starting to learn German in Paris before the U.S. came along. Pay for NATO or not!”
Emmanuel Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the U.S., China and Russia. But it was Germany in World Wars One & Two – How did that work out for France? They were starting to learn German in Paris before the U.S. came along. Pay for NATO or not!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018
In fact, Macron had said Europe needs to protect itself against cyberthreats from China, Russia and the U.S. The French leader’s office said Trump had lumped together Macron’s remarks on protecting against cyberthreats with a later statement on military defense.
Gerard Araud, France’s ambassador to the U.S., challenged Trump, tweeting, “For the sake of truth, Pres.@EmmanuelMacron didn’t say that EU needed an army ‘against the US’.”
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, meanwhile, told European Union lawmakers Tuesday “that we have to work on the vision of one day creating a real European army.” She underscored that such a force would not mean the end of the U.S.-led NATO military alliance.
On Trade, France makes excellent wine, but so does the U.S. The problem is that France makes it very hard for the U.S. to sell its wines into France, and charges big Tariffs, whereas the U.S. makes it easy for French wines, and charges very small Tariffs. Not fair, must change!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018
The president has long complained that NATO countries don’t pay their fair share of the defense alliance’s expenses, leaving the U.S. to carry much of the burden. Burden-sharing was among the topics that Trump and Macron discussed during a meeting Saturday at the Elysee Palace.
A top adviser to Macron said Tuesday that the French position has been “clarified.” Macron explained the European army issue to Trump during their meeting, stressing that France was not making a choice between a European defense mechanism and multilateral organizations such as NATO, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in keeping with French customs.
Trump also complained Tuesday about tariffs on U.S. wines sold in France, saying it’s “not fair, must change!” And he appeared to take a dig at Macron’s low public approval rating. Trump’s standing with the French is lower than Macron’s.
The problem is that Emmanuel suffers from a very low Approval Rating in France, 26%, and an unemployment rate of almost 10%. He was just trying to get onto another subject. By the way, there is no country more Nationalist than France, very proud people-and rightfully so!……..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018
……MAKE FRANCE GREAT AGAIN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018
“On Trade, France makes excellent wine, but so does the U.S. The problem is that France makes it very hard for the U.S. to sell its wines into France, and charges big Tariffs, whereas the U.S. makes it easy for French wines, and charges very small Tariffs. Not fair, must change!”
Nearly all U.S. wine exports to major markets, including the European Union — of which France is a part — face tariffs, according to the Wine Institute, which represents California winemakers in Washington on matters of tax, trade and regulatory issues.
Trump, a former businessman, opened a winery in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2011.
“The problem is that Emmanuel suffers from a very low Approval Rating in France, 26%, and an unemployment rate of almost 10%. He was just trying to get onto another subject. By the way, there is no country more Nationalist than France, very proud people-and rightfully so! … MAKE FRANCE GREAT AGAIN!”
Macron is hovering at around 30 percent in popularity polls, while the unemployment rate is just above 9 percent.
Trump appeared to be referring to Macron’s comment Sunday during a speech for the World War I centennial in which he decried the rise of nationalism around the globe, calling it a “betrayal of patriotism.” The comments were widely viewed as a rebuke of Trump, who sat stone-faced in the company of other world leaders as Macron spoke. Trump has embraced the “nationalist” label despite its negative connotations.
By the way, when the helicopter couldn’t fly to the first cemetery in France because of almost zero visibility, I suggested driving. Secret Service said NO, too far from airport & big Paris shutdown. Speech next day at American Cemetery in pouring rain! Little reported-Fake News!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018
Trump’s continued complaints about France and Macron hit a nerve with some in the European nation, especially since Trump delivered his latest broadsides on the third anniversary of the Paris terror attacks that killed 130 people in 2015.
The complaints were another marker of the up-and-down relationship between Trump and Macron since they first met last year.
Trump also defended his decision to cancel a trip Saturday to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery at Belleau Wood in northern France after rainy weather grounded his helicopter. The White House later said that driving to the cemetery would have required many Paris roadways to be closed on short notice to accommodate the president’s motorcade and that Trump didn’t want to cause that kind of disruption.
On Sunday, Trump went ahead with a visit and speech in the rain at the Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial just outside Paris.
“By the way, when the helicopter couldn’t fly to the first cemetery in France because of almost zero visibility, I suggested driving. Secret Service said NO, too far from airport & big Paris shutdown. Speech next day at American Cemetary in pouring rain! Little reported-Fake News!” he tweeted.
(AP)
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10 Responses
The lowlife communication of this man is a complete disgrace and embarrassment.
The U.S. helped save Europe because of the strong leadership of the presidents of those times. Had an “America Firster” like him been president, we might be speaking German r’l.
All the other leaders fulfilled their solemn obligation and made it to their various venues on that day even with rain. He’s lying and has completely been mevazeh the servicemen who paid the ultimate sacrifice and all veterans. Our first un-American President, the party of Lincoln has become the party of Benedict Arnold.
Poor little Trumpee. His ego is bruised. European leaders snubbed him, Macron played him for the fool that he is, and he couldn’t pay respect to the war dead because it was raining. Trumpee does not like getting wet in the rain. Trumpee likes to pout like a child on twitter and play with his friends Putin and Kim. Does Trumpee even know what nationalism means?
“Helicopter couldn’t fly…too far…” Sure but how did everyone else get there. Sorry Drumpf Americans are not dumb.
though it’s accurate it’s a breach of etiquette
France was badly ravaged and nearly defeated in WWI and actually was defeated — occupied by Germany during WWII.
This anecdote sums it up
perfectly. An elderly American gentleman arrived in Paris by plane. At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on.
“You have been to France before, monsieur?” the customs officer asked sarcastically.
The older American tourist admitted that he had indeed been to France previously.
“Then you should know enough to have your passport ready.”
The American said, “The last time I was here, I didn’t have to show it.”
“Impossible. Americans always have to show their passports on arrival in France!”
The American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he quietly explained, ”Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in 1944 to help liberate this country, I couldn’t find a single Frenchmen to show a passport to….”
A bit of humility is in order, Monsieur President.
Let’s see at first the excuse in France was the helicopter couldn’t fly in the rain. The second excuse, the bus ride was a security risk. Both these excuses have been debunked by folks who have worked advance security for other presidents and a couple of the pilots who have flown the helicopter. No excuse for not doing the walk to the Arch de Triomphe while he and Melania sat in the car.
And yesterday was the biggest insult to our vets yet, for the first time since 1954 a president missed the wreath laying at the tomb of the unknown soldiers. He’s done nothing but disrespect our troops, no visits to our men fighting overseas, wanting the absentee votes in FL not to count (most of these would be military), and massive cuts to the VA budgets.
Says they would have been defeated? They WERE defeated- we had to invade their stupid country and spent months fighting to liberate it from the Nazis.
to It is Time for Truth (I like your user name) Your comment “though it’s accurate it’s a breach of etiquette” is correct, however, we need a guy like President Trump who did away with political correctness in order to say what must be said and to get things done and he has gotten a lot done – a lot of very good things.
And to crazykanoiy The following is Wikipedia’s translation for nationalism: Nationalism is a political, social, and economic system characterized by the promotion of the interests of a particular nation, especially with the aim of gaining and maintaining sovereignty (self-governance) over the homeland. Now I ask you what’s wrong with that. And yes a Frenchman that is proud to be a Frenchman and proud of his country’s heritage has a nationalistic pride and the same could apply to an American who is a proud American. Their is nothing racist about that at all. You don’t have to be white to be an American with a sense of nationalism.
Also imagine if President Obama said what was really on his mind. He like all politicians played the political correctness game and he still couldn’t hide what he was and is all about. It is so refreshing to finally have a President that speaks his mind. And of coarse I don’t agree with a lot of what he says.
To all those that say he is anti-Semitic; It is such stupidity and utter nonsense. Just look at his kids and grand kids. Just look at all of his Jewish acquaintances throughout the years. He has by far been the best president for Israel. He has tremendous respect for the Jewish community as is apparent by anyone looking objectively. I can go on and on but their is no need. One just has to look at things honestly and objectively. And no it’s certainly not fake because we all know that he expresses what’s on his mind. He is quite transparent. And for all those that think he needs to be a role model; that’s not his job. He is an amazing President of the U.S.A. and that’s his job to deliver and he has been delivering in a very big and good way to the American people. And if we can get some entertainment from him or a lot of entertainment it just makes life more fun. Why be so bitter about it when you could laugh and enjoy it. Like the head of CNN even admitted when they would try not to cover The President so much their ratings would go down. As far as role model, (for goyim) Vice President Mike Pence is a great role model.
crazykanoiy and rt, are you twins by any chance?
MoisheinGolus They probably also have a third sibling called Gadolhadorah.