Trump, Macron seek to ease tensions over security
286 views · Published 15 November 2018 · 1:47 · Indexed 10 October 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · News & Politics
(10 Nov 2018) President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron worked Saturday to ease tensions after a dustup over their comments about European security that threatened to divert attention from a weekend ceremony 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 on whether Europe should create an army as they addressed reporters before going behind closed doors for talks at the Elysee Palace. Trump opened his latest French visit on a testy note after he unleashed an angry Twitter jab at his host as he arrived for the celebration. Just as Air Force One touched down in Paris Friday night, Trump tweeted that 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!" Macron's office said Trump misunderstood Macron's comments about sharing the defense burden, and the two men struck a more friendly tone as they opened their meeting at the grand presidential residence on a rainy day in Paris. "We want to help Europe but it has to be fair. Right now, the burden-sharing has been largely on the United States," Trump said, adding that Macron "understands that and he understands the United States can only do so much, in fairness to the United States." Trump added that the U.S. wants to "absolutely be there" to help defend Europe but that "different countries have to also help." Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/3249ae6b84bb6a8ccf1a9407b68b7a98
