French President Emmanuel Macron has suggested that Europe needs to build an Army to protect against, among other things, the United States. He also took a dig at President Donald Trump, slamming nationalism. Trump and Macron had a very cozy relationship until now, but the bromance is definitely over. Trump hit back at Macron, bringing up France’s futility in wars against Germany, Macron’s low approval rating, and even saying that American wine is as good as French wine. Sacre bleu!
In an interview with Agence France Presse, Macron made the shocking statement that he considers the US, France’s most valuable ally and trusted friend, a potential threat. In response to Trump’s demand that Europe contributes more to NATO, Macron said that France and other European nations should raise their own powerful armies.
“We have to protect ourselves with respect to China, Russia and even the United States of America,” Macron said.
Then, Macron went directly after Trump, slamming nationalism as immoral. In October at a rally for Ted Cruz, President Trump declared himself a “nationalist” because he loves America and puts our country first. During a speech at the Arc de Triomphe commemorating the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, Macron took this shot at Trump.
“Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism. 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,” Macron said.
Anyone who has been paying attention knows that when you attack Donald J. Trump, there’s going to be a tweet. In this case, there were several. Trump hit back at Macron in a way only he could:
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
Ouch! He went straight to the Germany thing. At least he didn’t offer to sell Macron some vintage French infantry rifles that have never been fired and only dropped once. Thank goodness Trump didn’t bring up the Battle of Puebla in which France got their butts kicked by the Mexican Army. Maybe he’s saving that one for Cinco de Mayo over a taco bowl at Trump Tower.
Even more insulting than pointing out France’s sad military history is suggesting that the country’s wine isn’t superior to all others. Trump went there too:
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
There is no greater insult than saying US wine is on par with French wine. If France were actually to raise an army against the US, this would be the event to trigger it.
President Trump is a smart guy. He knows why his former friend was lashing out:
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
Emmanuel Macron is fooling himself if he thinks that he stands a chance in a war of words with Donald Trump. The President got into it with “Rocket Man” Kim Jong Un and that brought North Korea to the table for denuclearization talks. Trump went after beta male Justin Trudeau and that resulted in Canada renegotiating NAFTA.
The President has mixed it up with China, the EU, and OPEC, and Trump wins every single time. In a matter of months, France will be paying its fair share for NATO and selling Napa Valley Merlot in bistros all over Paris.
