‘We’ve Had a Lot of Problems with France,’ Says US President

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump on Monday took an unexpected jab at France during an interview with Fox News, remarking, “We’ve had a lot of problems with the French.” The comment came during a discussion on Chinese student enrolment in US universities, when Fox News host Laura Ingraham noted, “They’re not the French, they’re the Chinese. They spy on us.”

Trump interjected, challenging the notion that France was any better, saying, “Do you think the French are better, really? I will tell you, I’m not so sure.” The remarks highlight ongoing tensions in US-French relations, even as Trump has maintained a publicly cordial and sometimes theatrical rapport with French President Emmanuel Macron. Their interactions have often included high-profile gestures — from muscular handshakes and backslapping to more unusual displays, such as knee-touching for the cameras.

Despite these public displays of camaraderie, the relationship between Trump and Macron has not been without friction. Trump has voiced opposition to Macron’s recognition of a Palestinian state and criticized some of France’s climate policies. Moreover, the US president has repeatedly pressed European allies, including France, to increase their contributions to NATO, urging Europe to assume a larger share of defense spending.

Earlier this year, Macron personally contacted Trump to inform him of a minor but symbolic incident in New York, where the French president was briefly blocked on the street by the US presidential convoy while en route to a UN meeting. Such episodes underscore the occasional strain beneath the surface of the leaders’ otherwise high-profile camaraderie.

The two countries continue to navigate areas of cooperation and contention, particularly in the context of military and geopolitical concerns. Macron has been part of Europe’s efforts to maintain a cooperative relationship with the US, especially regarding support for Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. Yet, Trump’s recent comments signal that underlying frustrations in the bilateral relationship persist, even amid public gestures of friendship and diplomacy.