Trump criticizes Macron over European defense remarks, again
What's the story
Donald Trump yesterday launched another attack against Emmanuel Macron over the French President's call for a European army, a proposal the US leader earlier had dubbed "insulting." "Emmanuel Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the US, China, and Russia. But it was Germany in World Wars One & Two - How did that work out for France?" Trump tweeted.
Twitter Post
US President's another highly critical tweet attacking Macron
Emmanuel Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the U.S., China and Russia. But it was Germany in World Wars One Two - How did that work out for France? They were starting to learn German in Paris before the U.S. came along. Pay for NATO or not!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018
Attack
Trump lambasted European allies for not spending enough on militaries
Macron had angered Trump by saying Europe needed its own army and listing the US along with Russia, China as a threat to European security. Trump, who is in France to attend World War I commemorations this weekend, tweeted Macron's call for a "real European army" was "insulting." He has also repeatedly lambasted European allies for not spending enough on their militaries, particularly Germany.
Response
Trump, I agreed for better burden-sharing within NATO: Macron
Meanwhile, the 40-year-old French President, after talks with Trump, said in an interview recorded on Saturday, that the two leaders had spoken about what his office has portrayed as a misunderstanding. Both the leaders agree there should be "better burden-sharing within NATO," which means that Europe should be less reliant on US spending for its defense, Macron said in the interview with CNN.
Support
Despite Trump's comments, US officials fully committed to NATO alliance
However, in the same interview Macron had added, "To be very direct with you, what I don't want to see is European countries increasing the budget in defense in order to buy American and other arms or materials coming from your industry." Meanwhile, the US officials have stressed that Washington is fully committed to the NATO alliance despite US President Donald Trump's comments.
Information
Meanwhile, NATO Chief welcomes stronger EU efforts on defense
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg meanwhile has welcomed stronger EU efforts on defense that could strengthen the alliance but warned against duplicating its work while potentially undermining transatlantic ties. In his NATO conference on Monday, he praised how the US and Europe overcame two world wars.