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.
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
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."
On Trade, France makes excellent wine, but so does the U.S. The problem is 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. Not fair, must change!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018
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.
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
Trump concluded his series of tweets with a call to "MAKE FRANCE GREAT AGAIN!"
......MAKE FRANCE GREAT AGAIN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018
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.