Trump complains French protestors aren’t taking into account how badly the U.S. was treated by EU

President Donald Trump complained the French protesters who are rioting over the declining economy there aren’t taking into account how badly the U.S. has been treated by the European Union.

‘The large and violent French protests don’t take into account how badly the United States has been treated on Trade by the European Union or on fair and reasonable payments for our GREAT military protection. Both of these topics must be remedied soon,’ he tweeted on Sunday morning before he headed off to his golf course here.

President Donald Trump complained the French protesters who are rioting over the declining economy there aren’t taking into account how badly the U.S. has been treated by the European Union

His tweet comes as Paris burns from thousands of rioters protesting the declining French economy

His tweet comes as Paris burns from thousands of rioters protesting the declining French economy

Trump has repeatedly pressed European nations – like France – who are NATO members to contribute more funds to defense spending. 

He’s also complained about the EU’s trade practices with the U.S. and narrowly avoided a trade war this summer, signing a deal with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to ease tensions and avoid a full-blown war with Europe.

But his complaints about the U.S. treatment come as Paris burns from thousands of rioters protesting the declining French economy, which is falling behind its European neighbors. 

The so-called Yellow-Jacked protesters, named after the bright neon vests worn by motorists during roadside emergencies, are demanding French President Emmanuel Macron step back from planned hike of taxes on gasoline.

The grassroots movement is campaigning against what is believes to be a general decline in living standards across the country, the recent decision to raise fuel prices, a broader slam at Macron’s economic policies and a dislike for the president, whose approval rating sits around 26 percent. 

Former investment banker Macron was elected on a pledge to put more money in workers’ pockets, but the effects of his pro-business reforms on unemployment and purchasing power have been limited so far.

Many of the often low-income ‘yellow vest’ protesters are particularly incensed at his decision to hike anti-pollution taxes on diesel, while scrapping a wealth tax on the rich. 

Around 8,000 protesters had converged on the Champs Elysees in Paris, Reuters reported, and additional protests are taking place across France. 

They were heard calling for Macron’s resignation.

Under Macron, unemployment has fallen a bit but remains at 9.1 percent, double that in next door Germany and Britain, according to Bloomberg News. 

A protester is seen next to a burning barricade during the protest in which there was violent clashes between demonstrators and police

A protester is seen next to a burning barricade during the protest in which there was violent clashes between demonstrators and police

Police officers armed with baton round guns and riot shields advance on protesters in central Paris as demonstrations turned violent and clashed with police

Police officers armed with baton round guns and riot shields advance on protesters in central Paris as demonstrations turned violent and clashed with police

A demonstrator holds a flare on a barricade on the Champs-Elysees avenue during a demonstration against the rising of the fuel taxes

A demonstrator holds a flare on a barricade on the Champs-Elysees avenue during a demonstration against the rising of the fuel taxes

Huge plumes of smoke were seen on the most iconic streets, as protesters burned large plywood sheets, chairs and other material in demonstrations against planned fuel hikes.

A water cannon and rounds of teargas were also used by riot police against thousands of French ‘Yellow Vest’ fuel protesters as the Champs Elysee was reduced to a battlefield.

By 11am on Saturday, clouds of tea gas covered the Champs Elysee, and especially the area close to the place de la Concorde. 

By mid-afternoon, 106,000 protesters had been counted across France, compared with about 244,000 at the same time last week, figures from the interior ministry showed. 

‘They included hooded demonstrators who were determined to cause trouble,’ said a police officer at the scene.

‘We’ve been forced to deploy a water cannon and used tear gas to stop them getting to a secure zone.

‘They’re breaking up traffic obstacles to create missiles to throw at us. It’s getting very violent.’

The zone included the Elysee Palace –Macron’s official home – and the Place de la Concorde, opposite the National Assembly, France’s parliament.

 

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk