As Air Force One touched down in Paris, President Trump condemned French President Emmanuel Macron for suggesting the creation of a “true European army.”
“President Macron of France 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!” Trump tweeted Friday.
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President Macron of France 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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 9, 2018
The president arrived in Paris just after 10 p.m. local time. Trump is in France to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.
Trump is scheduled to attend a bilateral meeting with Macron on Saturday, as well as a dinner hosted by the French president for visiting heads of state later that evening, a senior administration official told reporters Wednesday.
Macron proposed the formation of a “true European army” during an interview with France’s Europe 1 radio station this week. “We have to protect ourselves with respect to China, Russia and even the United States of America,” he said.
“When I see President Trump announcing that he’s quitting a major disarmament treaty which was formed after the 1980s Euro-missile crisis that hit Europe, who is the main victim? Europe and its security,” Macron said.
“We will not protect the Europeans unless we decide to have a true European army,” he continued.
