France’s Emmanuel Macron demonstrated his unique ability to tame Donald Trump in Brussels on Wednesday amid testy talks between the U.S. president and America’s European allies.
Macron deftly handled a hastily-scheduled meeting with Trump after a first round of conversations between the 29 member nations of NATO, reminding the leader who has become his friend that this week marks the anniversary of the occasion on which they spent Bastille Day together in France with their wives.
‘I just reminded everybody that almost one year ago you were present with your wife in Paris for Bastille Day,’ Macron said in French and then English for his counterpart’s benefit. ‘And we’ve worked together for 12 months now. And took some great decisions.’
Trump agreed with his counterpart, replying, ‘We’ve made some good decisions.’
France’s Emmanuel Macron demonstrated his unique ability to tame Donald Trump in Brussels on Wednesday amid testy talks between the U.S. president and America’s European allies
A year ago this weekend, President Trump and first lady Melania Trump shared a romantic evening with the Macrons at a five-star restaurant inside of the Eiffel Tour in Paris. The Trumps were the Macrons’ guests again the following morning at the Bastille Day celebration and parade that takes place along the Champs-Elysées.
The military extravaganza held annually to celebrate France’s independence inspired Trump to put together a similar event in Washington. He hopes to have an equally awesome military parade in the nation’s capital city this fall.
As a thank you for the invitation to the Paris event last summer on July 14, the president made Macron the guest of honor at his very first state dinner. The Trumps also treated the the French leader and his wife Brigitte Macron to a Mount Vernon dinner.
‘We have a tremendous relationship. We’re discussing trade. We’re discussing NATO. We’re discussing a lot of different things,’ Trump on Wednesday said. ‘And hopefully, in the end, it will all work out. And so it’s great to be with you.’
Trump said that Macron, who has been in office for a little over a year, is ‘doing a terrific job.’
‘He’s changing a lot of things around. And I guess that had to happen,’ Trump said of the liberal leader. ‘And I think it’s going to be very successful.’
Macron’s friendly conversation with Trump on Wednesday was a bright spot in the U.S. president’s day.
After a stand-off with EU Council chief Donald Tusk on Tuesday and tense meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the chat with Macron offered Trump an opportunity to unwind.
Trump had uncorked a tirade against Germany his first NATO meeting on Wednesday. It set the tone for tense talks as President Trump met German Chancellor Angela Merkel later in the day in Belgium.
At his second NATO summit since taking office, Trump fumed that ‘Germany is a captive of Russia’ and it is ‘totally controlled’ by Moscow.
He said that a pipeline deal between the two countries is a ‘very bad thing for NATO, and I don’t think it should have happened.’
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reminded him that the U.S. and Europe are ‘stronger together than apart’ and that has been proven by two World Wars and the alliance’s dealings with Russia.
Trump told him in response, ‘No, you’re just making Russia richer. You’re not dealing with Russia, you’re making Russia richer.’
The confrontation made for an awkward pull-aside later between Trump and the German chancellor.
Trump diplomatically claimed in brief remarks as it concluded that it was a ‘great meeting.’
A year ago this weekend, President Trump and first lady Melania Trump shared a romantic evening with the Macrons at a five-star restaurant inside of the Eiffel Tour in Paris. The Trumps were the Macrons’ guests again the following morning at the Bastille Day celebration and parade that takes place along the Champs-Elysées
‘We’re discussing military expenditure, we’re talking about trade. We have a very, very good relationship with the chancellor. We have a tremendous relationship with Germany,’ President Trump said.
Merkel in her remarks said, ‘We are partners, we are good partners and wish to continue to cooperate in the future.’
The German leader said she was pleased ‘to have this opportunity to be here for this exchange of views’ which included the sharing of opinions on ‘economic developments on issues such as migration and also the future of our trade relations.’