French President: Europe must stop counting on US arms

PARIS, KOMPAS.com – French President Emmanuel Macron reminded European countries to reduce their dependence on US weapons and start building their own defense forces.

In his interview with CNNMacron said that he did not want to see European countries increase their defense budgets to buy weapons or other things from American and American industries.

"What I do not want to see is the European countries that are increasing their defense budget to buy weapons in the US and other US industries," Macron said Sunday (11/11/2018).

Macron's statement came after he had been involved in a war of words with US President Donald Trump.

Read also: The President of France wants to form a common European army, this is the answer of Trump

From his statement in an interview with Radio Europe 1, Macron called on European countries to form joint military forces.

Trump responded typically to the statement, including via his Twitter account stating that Macron had acted outrageously.

"French President Macron has called on Europe to train his army to protect himself from Russia, China and the United States," Trump said.

"It's an insult, but maybe Europe could start paying more for the US-backed costs of NATO," said the 72-year-old president.

Last month, Macron criticized Belgium's decision to acquire F-35 fighter jets manufactured in the United States, while European countries cooperated in the production of their own fighter aircraft, Eurofighter.

Macron said the Belgian decision was in conflict with European interests.

He stressed the need for Europe to take charge of its own defense.

"Even if after the Second World War we needed an American presence for our security, I think the time has come for Europe to build its own security, its own sovereignty," Macron said. .

Macron and Trump met during a series of events commemorating the end of the First World War in Paris this weekend.

See also: President of the French Republic: Europe must be able to survive from Russia and even from the United States

Macron also said that he had discussed with the US president to correct the misunderstanding.

"We had a discussion this morning and he also confirmed to the media that he was fine," Macron said.

According to him, both parties also agreed that it was necessary to further share the tasks within NATO, which means that Europe was less dependent on US defense spending .