President Donald Trump struck a serious blow in his war of words with French President Emmanuel Macron Tuesday, firing back at the French leader for comments he made defending his country’s meager contributions to NATO’s defense budget by reminding Macron about France’s illustrious military history.
To put it succinctly, Trump mocked France for suffering major losses in back-to-back World Wars.
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
“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,” the president tweeted. “Pay for NATO or not!”
Ouch.
The two leaders have been at odds all week over NATO defense spending, with Macron openly chiding Trump for calling his own policies “nationalist” in a speech that was supposed to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.
But Trump’s Tuesday remarks appear to come in response not to Macron’s Armistice Day insults, but to comments Macron made in a television interview back on November 6, where he called for a “true European army,” separate from the NATO alliance, funded and maintained by the European Union. Macron suggested that a more “sovereign” Europe was necessary to defend European Union interests against “Russian, China, and even the U.S.”
Trump condemned Macron’s idea, calling it “very insulting,” and NATO’s top brass fired back at Macron for even suggesting a break in the trans-Atlantic alliance. French officials tried to excuse Macron’s remarks by claiming they were taken “out of context.” But Monday night, outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she supported Macron’s plan and agreed that Europe shouldn’t need to rely on the United States to supplement its military strength.
After his pointed jab over military might, Trump attacked France over its trade protectionism — a far less juicy subject.
“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!,” the President Tweeted.
He added, “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!”
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 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
Trump concluded by suggesting he could help “MAKE FRANCE GREAT AGAIN.”
Trump and Macron’s relationship began as a trans-Atlantic “bromance” but has soured as Macron seeks to make up ground within his own group of European leaders. Although Macron’s most egregious insults were leveled at Trump during his Armistice Day speech, Macron also took potshots at U.K.’s Prime Minister Theresa May.