Iran press/America: Emmanuel Macron has told Donald Trump, France is an ally, not a client state, after the US President attacked him in a series of tweets that showed how much their relationship had soured.
In five posts on Tuesday after a visit to Paris to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, Trump reminded France of its near-defeat by Germany in two wars, took a swipe at its wine industry, and mentioned Macron's falling approval ratings, ABC news reported.
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Trump had earlier criticised Macron's suggestion that a European army was needed, in part, to reduce reliance on the US military.
Emmanuel Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the U.S., 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!
"I think he's playing politics, and I let him play American politics," Macron said.
"To be honest, I don't do diplomacy or politics through tweets." he continued.
But asked whether there was a deeper misunderstanding between the two countries after Macron's comments about a European army infuriated Trump, the French President said being a US ally did not mean being subservient.
"The United States are our historic ally and will continue to be," Macron said. "But being an ally doesn't mean being a vassal state," he added.
After being invited to Paris to attend the Bastille Day military parade in July last year and receiving Macron and his wife for a state visit in Washington in January, Trump had praised Macron as a "great guy" and "a friend of mine".
Emmanuel Macron warns against dangerous nationalism in the United States and Europe, 14 July 2017.
But things have since turned sour and the two have disagreed on many international issues, including the Paris climate accord, the Iran nuclear deal and Trump's decision to slap tariffs on European metals exports.
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The public dispute was in sharp contrast with the friendly tone that had been a hallmark of the relationship between the ex-banker and the former real estate developer since Macron was elected in 2017.
Although Macron's response was restrained on Wednesday, November 14th, his spokesman showed Trump's criticism had struck a chord.
When asked earlier about Trump's tweets, French Government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux said they were posted on the day France was mourning the anniversary of militant attacks in Paris.
"Yesterday was November 13, we were marking the murder of 130 of our people," Griveaux said. 208/103
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