President Donald Trump went after French President Emmanuel Macron's rebuke of the United States and appeal for a European army with a call on Tuesday to "MAKE FRANCE GREAT AGAIN!"
"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!" tweeted the president, who returned from a trip to France on Sunday.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1062311785787744256
Trump then criticized the current state of the wine trade between France and the United States, tweeting that "France makes it very hard for the U.S. to sell its wines into France, and charges big Tariffs, whereas the U.S. makes it easy for French wines, and charges very small Tariffs."
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1062331024426913792
The president highlighted Macron's low approval rating and high unemployment in France, suggesting the French people disagree with Macron's sentiments. "[T]here is no country more Nationalist than France, very proud people-and rightfully so!" Trump said.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1062333534214520832
Trump concluded his series of tweets with a call to "MAKE FRANCE GREAT AGAIN!"
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1062333882610171907
During a celebration for the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I, Macron criticized nationalism.
"Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism," Macron said. "Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism. By saying our interests first, who cares about the others, we erase what a nation holds dearest, what gives it life, what makes it great and what is essential: its moral values."
During a campaign event last month, Trump had a different take on nationalism. "You know, they have a word, it sort of became old-fashioned. It’s called a nationalist," he said.
"And I say, ‘Really? We’re not supposed to use that word,’" Trump added. "You know what I am? I’m a nationalist. OK? I’m a nationalist."
A recent opinion poll conducted by Kantar Public showed only 26 percent of the French people have confidence in Macron, while 71 percent said they have no confidence in France's president.