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PARIS – French President Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron met on Saturday to try to reestablish a friendly relationship that only began in recent months as the US leader complained that Europe is benefiting from the centenary transatlantic alliance.
Mr. Macron assured Mr. Trump that his call this week for the constitution of a "real European army" to defend himself against Russia, was consistent with the will of China and even the United States of America. support NATO's allies security efforts.
"I share President Trump's view that we need a better sharing of the burden within NATO, and that's why I think my proposals for European defense are quite compatible with that, "said Mr. Macron with Mr. Trump at his side at the Elysee. Palace.
Mr Trump, who has strongly criticized the European allies for not spending more on defense, said he was delighted to hear Mr Macron say so. "He understands that the United States can only do a great deal, in all fairness to the United States," said Trump.
The two men met in Paris before the ceremonies to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. Mr. Macron greeted Mr. Trump at the presidential palace on a noisy and dreary day that matches the mood of the moment. Their meeting seemed decidedly colder than their warm session in Washington at the beginning of the year, when they smiled broadly, hugging and renting each other.
On Saturday morning, the two men hugged each other and thumbs up for the cameras, but the tight-lipped smiles seemed tense and forced. During their brief appearance in front of the reporters, Mr. Trump remained formal and distant, while avoiding harsh words. Mr. Macron looked relieved at last and patted Mr. Trump's leg gratefully.
The visit began painfully Friday when Trump posted a provocative message on Twitter, blaming Mr. Macron just three minutes after the landing of Air Force One at Orly airport, near Paris.
Responding to Mr Macron's comments last week suggesting that Europe should form its own army to defend itself even against the United States, Mr. Trump wrote: "Very insulting, but Europe should perhaps pay its fair share of NATO, that the United States subsidizes enormously!"
Mr. Trump did not respond to other remarks made by Macron in recent days, warning against the dangers of nationalism, by making historical comparisons with the forces that devastated the European continent in the 20th century. "I am struck by the resemblance between the moment we live and the inter-war years," said Mr. Macron.
By contrast, during the mid-term election campaign, Mr. Trump proudly embraced the "Nationalist" label for himself.
Beyond security, the biggest points of contention between the United States and France are currently the new US sanctions imposed on Iran and threats against French companies operating in Tehran. The businessmen and officials of Mr. Macron have expressed outrage at these threats. The French want to continue doing business with Iran and feel pressured by the Americans.
Mr Trump remains extremely unpopular in France and Mr Macron, after trying to please Mr Trump, has shown signs of distancing in recent months. In a speech to the United Nations General Assembly in September, Macron pleaded for cooperation among nations that seemed to be a direct rebuke to Trump's unilateralism.
Mr. Trump is expected to spend about 48 hours on the ground, but he will have the opportunity to interact with other world leaders at several events organized by Mr. Macron, including Russian President Vladimir V. Putin.
Though long overdue, this trip gives Trump an opportunity to try briefly to escape the inner controversies that dominate Washington. Democrats are preparing to take control of the House after the midterm elections and critics criticize the president's decision to sack his Attorney General, Jeff The sessions were seen as an effort to prevent the special council, Robert S. Mueller III, from investigating possible links between Mr Trump's 2016 campaign and Russia.
Later Saturday, Mr. Trump plans to visit the American Cemetery of Aisne-Marne, at the foot of the hill where the Battle of Belleau Wood took place, and to attend a dinner offered by Mr. Macron. On Sunday, he will join about 70 world leaders for a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in commemoration of the armistice ending the First World War at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918. He will then join leaders for lunch. Then, head separately to the American Cemetery at Suresnes, near Paris, before returning home in the afternoon.
He will not remain for the Paris Peace Forum, a meeting that Mr. Macron inaugurates to bring together governments and private organizations to improve international coordination and find ways to avoid the kind of tensions that have arisen. led to the First World War and other conflicts.
Many in Paris will be monitored to see if Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin are talking. Last month, Trump sent his national security adviser, John R. Bolton, to Moscow to hold a meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the official events in Paris, but since then both sides have confusing and contradictory stories as to whether they will speak or not.
No formal meeting is scheduled and both parties have announced that they would expect a more formal session at an international summit in Buenos Aires later this month. But the two will be together in the same room for this weekend's events and will be able to talk informally.
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