Mr Macron, call on my cell: Trump

Washington, May 31: President Donald Trump has been handing out his cell phone number to world leaders and urging them to call him directly, an unusual invitation that breaks diplomatic protocol and is raising concerns about the security and secrecy of the US commander in chief ’s communications.

Mr Trump has urged leaders of Canada and Mexico to reach him on his cellphone, according to former and current US officials with direct knowledge of the practice. Of the two, only Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has taken advantage of the offer so far, the officials said.

Mr Trump exchanged numbers with French President Emmanuel Macron, when the two spoke immediately following Mr Macron’s victory earlier this month, according to a French official who would not comment on whether Mr Macron intended to use the line.

All the officials demanded anonymity because they were not authorised to reveal the conversations. Neither the White House nor Mr Trudeau’s office responded to requests for comment.

The notion of world leaders calling each other up via cellphone may seem unremarkable in the modern, mobile world.

In the diplomatic arena, where leader-to-leader calls are highly orchestrated affairs, it is another notable breach of protocol for a president who has expressed distrust of official channels. The formalities and discipline of diplomacy have been a rough fit for Mr Trump, who, before taking office, was long easily accessible by cellphone and viewed himself as freewheeling, impulsive dealmaker.