"I Always Prefer Direct Discussion and Not Making Diplomacy through Tweets": Macron

• 11.11.2018, 14:17
•  Europe,  America,  World

CNN

In an interview with CNN's Fareed Zakaria, French President Emmanuel Macron says that he prefers "having direct discussion" rather than discussing diplomacy through tweets with President Donald Trump.

“I am not the one to comment his tweet. I always prefer having direct discussion or answering questions rather that making my diplomacy through tweets. I think we had a good discussion today. I do share President Trump’s views that we need a much better burden sharing with Nato and that’s why I do believe that my proposal for a European defence [is] utterly consistent with that.” Macron said.

Macron said in an interview earlier this week that Europe needed to protect itself against “China, Russia and even the United States” in terms of cyberspace. Later, Macron reiterated that Europe needed to build up its own military because it could no longer depend on the US for defence.

Afterwards Trump responded to his host as he arrived in France late on Friday with a following tweet:  

“President Macron of France has just suggested that Europe build its own military in order to protect itself from the U.S., China and Russia. Very insulting, but perhaps Europe should first pay its fair share of NATO, which the U.S. subsidizes greatly!”

To remind world leaders gather in Paris today to participate in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I.