US 'saved' France in both world wars – Trump

DONALD Trump has suggested France would have been vanquished in both world wars if not for the United States.

The US President tweeted about his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron’s suggestion that Europe would protect itself from the US, China and Russia.

Mr Macron argued that Europe should build up its military forces because it can no longer depend on America for defence.

Mr Trump tweeted: “Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the US, 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!”

Mr Trump often complains that Nato countries do not pay their fair share of the defence alliance’s expenses.

He criticised Mr Macron before and after attending a weekend ceremony in Paris to commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War.

Mr Trump and Mr Macron met on Saturday at the Elysée Palace and discussed defence, trade and other issues.

A top adviser to Mr Macron said the French position has been “clarified”. The official said Mr Macron explained the European army issue to Mr Trump, stressing that France was not making a choice between a European defence mechanism and multilateral organisations such as Nato.

Mr Trump also complained about tariffs on US wines sold in France, and appeared to take a dig at Mr Macron’s low public approval rating.

The US leader tweeted that French tariffs on American wine is “not fair, must change!”

He wrote: “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!”