Trump\, Macron seek to diffuse tension before WWI anniversary

Internationa

Trump, Macron seek to diffuse tension before WWI anniversary

U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron meet at Elysee presidential palace, as part of the commemoration ceremony for Armistice Day, 100 years after the end of the First World War, in Paris, France, November 10, 2018.

U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron meet at Elysee presidential palace, as part of the commemoration ceremony for Armistice Day, 100 years after the end of the First World War, in Paris, France, November 10, 2018.   | Photo Credit: Reuters

more-in

President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron sought to diffuse tensions Saturday over comments by both leaders that threatened to cast a shadow over a weekend celebration marking 100 years since the end of World War I.

The American and French leaders, who have had somewhat of an up-and-down relationship, worked to project unity of opinion over whether Europe should create an army of its own.

Their meeting got off to a testy start. Mr. Trump unleashed an angry Twitter jab at his French host as he arrived in France late Friday. He tweeted that Mr. Macron “has just suggested that Europe build its own military in order to protect itself from the U.S., China and Russia. Very insulting, but perhaps Europe should first pay its fair share of NATO, which the U.S. subsidizes greatly!”

Mr. Macron’s office said Mr. Trump misunderstood Mr. Macron’s comments.

The leaders met Saturday at the Elysee Palace and, asked about the tweet, Mr. Trump said Mr. Macron “understand that the United States can only do so much,” adding that the U.S. wants to help. Mr. Trump added that he and Mr. Macron are “getting along from the standpoint of fairness.”

Mr. Macron defended his viewpoint, saying “I do share President Trump’s views that we need a much better burden sharing with NATO and that’s why I do believe that my proposal for a European defense” is “utterly consistent with that.”

An official in Mr. Macron’s office said Mr. Trump lumped together two different comments by the French president, and that the comments would be on the table for Saturday’s meeting. By custom, the official was not authorized to be publicly named.

Mr. Macron said in an interview earlier this week that Europe needs to protect itself against “China, Russia and even the United States” in terms of cyberspace. Later, Mr. Macron reiterated that Europe needs to build up its own military because it can no longer depend on the U.S. for defense.

Mr. Trump has made similar arguments, particularly in urging NATO’s European members to increase its share of defense spending.

Mr. Macron greeted Mr. Trump with a handshake and pats on the arm as the American president arrived at the Elysee Palace in a cool drizzle. Both leaders flashed a thumbs-up to waiting reporters but ignored their shouted questions about Mr. Macron’s remarks and Mr. Trump’s reaction.

In comment before the leaders went behind closed doors for talks, Mr. Macron referred to Mr. Trump as “my good friend” and appeared to tap him on the thigh.

Mr. Trump was joining scores of other world leaders Sunday for a ceremony in the shadow of the Arc de Triomphe to mark the WWI centennial. The weekend visit comes on the heels of midterm elections in which Americans delivered a split referendum on his presidency, keeping the Senate in his Republican Party’s control but giving control of the House to opposition Democrats.

Mr. Trump and first lady Melania Trump were also visiting the American cemetery in Belleau, France, on Saturday to pay respects to U.S. soldiers who died on French soil during World War I.