Trump and Macron seek to dispel tensions before the anniversary of the First World War



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President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron sought to ease tensions on Saturday as the two leaders threatened to shadow a weekend celebration of the end of the century. First World War.

The American and French leaders, who had some sort of top-down relationship, worked to project the unity of opinion on whether Europe should create its own army.

Their meeting had a difficult start. Mr. Trump launched an angry attack on Twitter against his French host as he arrived in France on Friday night. He tweeted that Mr Macron "has just suggested that Europe build its own military forces to protect itself from the United States, China and Russia. Very insulting, but maybe Europe should first pay its fair share of NATO, which the United States subsidizes enormously! "

. Macron's office said Mr. Trump misunderstood Mr. Macron's remarks.

The leaders met on Saturday at the Elysee Palace and, regarding the tweet, Mr. Trump said that Mr. Macron "understands that the United States can only do a lot," adding that the United States United want to help. Mr. Trump added that he and Mr. Macron "hear from the point of view of fairness".

Macron defended his point of view by stating, "I share President Trump's view that we need a much better burden-sharing with NATO and that is why I think my European defense proposal "is" quite consistent with that. "

An official in Mr. Macron's office, Mr. Trump combined two different comments from the French president, who would be on the table for Saturday's meeting. According to custom, the official was not allowed to be publicly appointed.

million. Macron said in an interview earlier this week that Europe had to protect itself against "China, Russia and even the United States" in terms of cyberspace. Later, Macron reiterated that Europe must build its own army because it could no longer count on the defense of the United States.

million. Trump made similar arguments, including urging European NATO members to increase their share of defense spending.

million. Macron greeted Mr. Trump with a handshake and patted his arm as the American president arrived at the Elysee under a cool drizzle. The two leaders greeted the reporters, but ignored their questions about Mr. Macron's remarks and Mr. Trump's reaction.

Before going in camera for interviews, Mr. Macron called Mr. Trump "My good friend" and appeared to pat him on the thigh.

Mr. Trump joined dozens of other world leaders on Sunday for a ceremony in the shadow of the Arc de Triomphe on the occasion of the centenary of the First World War. The visit this weekend comes shortly after the mid-term elections in which the Americans held a divided referendum on its presidency, leaving the Senate under the control of its Republican party but giving the House Democrats from the opposition.

million. Trump and the first lady, Melania Trump, also went to the American burial ground in Belleau, France on Saturday to pay tribute to American soldiers who died on French soil during the First World War.

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