Trump slams Macron, suggests France would have lost WWI

Earlier this year, the pair displayed an extraordinary level of affection for each other when Macron was invited to the White House for the first foreign state visit.

The pair high-fived, hugged and even kissed each other during public press conferences.

However, Trump spent the past weekend in Paris to commemorate the 100th anniversary of WWI where strained relations between the American president and European allies was on full display.

Trump has recently pulled out of the Paris Climate Agreement and the Iran nuclear deal, two deals heavily orchestrated by France.

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In a speech undoubtedly aimed at Trump’s brand of “America First” nationalism, Macron called nationalism a “betrayal of patriotism”.

He said the millions of soldiers who died in WWI fought to defend the “universal values” of France, and countries should reject the “selfishness of nations only looking after their own interests. Because patriotism is exactly the opposite of nationalism.”

On Tuesday, Trump hit back, citing Macron’s “low approval rating” and unfair trade practices, and defending his absence from a commemoration event on Saturday saying the US Secret Service had vetoed driving to the venue due to poor weather.

Trump pointed to Macron’s recent comments about Europe’s need to protect itself, writing that “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!”

“By the way, there is no country more Nationalist than France, very proud people-and rightfully so!” Trump wrote in a series of tweets, ending with “MAKE FRANCE GREAT AGAIN!”

Asked about Trump’s tweets, a key adviser to Macron said the French President had briefed Trump and his chief of staff during the Paris trip to rebadure them “that France is not about to make a choice between a European defence system and a multilateral approach”.

Reuters