Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Trump launches war of words over Euro army
DONALD Trump has launched a blistering attack on Emmanuel Macron, taunting that the French were learning German before the US intervened in the world wars.
The US leader was incensed after his French counterpart mooted a Europe army – an idea backed yesterday by Germany’s Angela Merkel.
Mr Macron said the force could counter “authoritarian powers” on Europe’s borders, as well “attempted attacks in cyberspace and interference in our democratic lives”.
He went on: “We have to protect ourselves with respect to China, Russia and even the United States of America.”
But Mr Macron’s words enraged Mr Trump who tweeted: “President Macron of France has just suggested that Europe build its own military in order to protect itself from the US, China and Russia.
“Very insulting, but perhaps Europe should first pay its fair share of NATO, which the US subsidises greatly.” Even after returning to the White House following Armistice Day in
France, Mr Trump was still furious. He wrote: “Emmanuel 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 US came along. Pay for NATO or not.” He then added: “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 on to another subject.”
German chancellor Mrs Merkel said the new force would not replace NATO, which includes the US. She told MEPS in Strasbourg: “We should work on a vision of one day establishing a real European army. A common European army would show the world that there will never be war again in Europe. We can be a good supplement to NATO.”