French President Macron's call for European Army 'very insulting': Trump
US President Donald Trump today said the suggestion of his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron that Europe should build its own army was "very insulting," asserting that Europe should first pay its "fair share" to NATO. Trump slammed Macron, moments after he landed in Paris for a weekend trip to commemorate Armistice Day and attend the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.
Trump's tweet was highly critical of Macron
'Have to protect ourselves with respect to China, Russia, US'
Early this week, Macron had pushed for a "true European Army" that would address the threat posed by countries like Russia and China. "We've to protect ourselves with respect to China, Russia, and even the United States of America," he told French Radio Station One.
We should not rely on US to defend ourselves: Macron
Macron said, "Who's the main victim? Europe and its security. I want to build a real security dialogue with RUSsia, a country I respect, but we must have a Europe that can defend itself without relying only on US." Notably, Trump and Macron are scheduled to have a bilateral meeting this time, but Trump's tweet criticizing Macron is expected to strain the US-French relationship.
It's going to be something special, Trump on commemorative service
Before leaving for Paris, the US President had told reporters that it will be a "great, really, commemorative service. I think it's going to be something very special. I've seen what they have planned, and I think it's going to be something very, very special."
