US President Donald Trump has attacked his French counterpart in a series of tweets that underscored how much the once-friendly ties between the two leaders have soured, days after returning from Paris.
In five posts - sent on the same day that French officials marked the anniversary of the 2015 terrorist attacks that killed 130 people in Paris - Mr Trump attacked the key US ally over its near defeat to Germany in two world wars, its wine industry and Mr Macron's approval ratings.
Three years on from the Paris attacks, France remembers the 130 victims pic.twitter.com/muaq6DHSTv
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) November 13, 2018
President Trump returned to Washington from a weekend in Paris to commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War I, where strained relations between him and European allies were on full display.
In the tweets, Mr Trump cited President Macron's "low approval rating" and unfair trade practices, and defended his absence from a commemoration event on Saturday, saying the US Secret Service had vetoed driving to the venue due to poor weather.
President Trump pointed to Mr Macron's recent comments about Europe's need to protect itself.
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
"By the way, there is no country more Nationalist than France, very proud people - and rightfully so!", Mr Trump wrote, adding "MAKE FRANCE GREAT AGAIN!"
The problem is that Emmanuel suffers from a very low Approval Rating in France, 26%, and an unemployment rate of almost 10%. He was just trying to get onto another subject. By the way, there is no country more Nationalist than France, very proud people-and rightfully so!........
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018
Asked about Mr Trump's tweets, a key adviser to Mr Macron said the French President had briefed Mr Trump and his chief of staff during the Paris trip to reassure them "that France is not about to make a choice between a European defence system and a multilateral approach".
By the way, when the helicopter couldn’t fly to the first cemetery in France because of almost zero visibility, I suggested driving. Secret Service said NO, too far from airport & big Paris shutdown. Speech next day at American Cemetary in pouring rain! Little reported-Fake News!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018
