President Trump left the international press pool in stitches Wednesday, joking alongside French President Emmanuel Macron as the two leaders met at the NATO summit in Brussels to discuss common defense.
Trump and Macron were speaking with reporters following a high-level meeting regarding defense spending when the French President praised the Commander-in-Chief in his native language, prompting Trump to say, “I have no idea what you said, but it sounded beautiful.”
Macron on relationship with Trump: "We've worked together for 12 months now. We've took some great decisions, and we will continue to work together." pic.twitter.com/zrftVkGdFP
— NBC Politics (@NBCPolitics) July 11, 2018
The two leaders have had a rocky relationship in recent months, with the French President blasting Trump’s decision to withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear agreement and his calls for the removal of EU trade tariffs.
Watch the friendly exchange above.
MACRON IN DC: Trump Hosts the French President During First State Visit
French President Emmanuel Macron is set to arrive in Washington, DC Monday; meeting with President Trump just days after the armed forces of the US, UK, and France launched a joint military strike against Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.
The 40-year-old European leader’s trip will be the first official state visit of President Trump’s presidency; with the two heads-of-state prepared to hold high-level meetings regarding trade, the Iranian nuclear agreement, the Middle East, and more.
“Both of us are probably mavericks,” Macron told Fox News. “We have a very special relationship… I think the U.S. today has a very strong role to play for peace in different regions of the world, and especially the Mideast.
“He has been one of the few Europeans who has pulled off the trick of building a close and strong working relationship with President Trump,” added one global security analyst.
One key area of discussion will likely center on the President’s recently announced trade tariffs on steel and aluminum; offering exemptions for only Mexico and Canada.
“I hope he will not implement these new tariffs and he will decide for an exemption for the European Union,” Macron said. “You cannot make a trade war with your ally.”
MACRON’S MUTINY: French President TURNS on TRUMP Ahead of G7 Summit
French President Emmanuel Macron turned on President Trump Thursday, slamming the American leader over potential trade tariffs and his position on climate change; warning Trump the G7 could quickly become the G6.
Macron was reacting to news that the Commander-in-Chief planned to leave the international summit in Quebec earlier than anticipated; skipping out on the group’s discussions on climate change and the global environment.
“Maybe the American president doesn’t care about being isolated today, but we don’t mind being six, if needs be,” said the French President. “Because these six represent values, represent an economic market, and more than anything, represent a real force at the international level today.”
Trump fired back at Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on social media before departing for the summit, asking “Why isn’t the European Union and Canada informing the public that for years they have used massive Trade Tariffs and non-monetary Trade Barriers against the US?”
Why isn’t the European Union and Canada informing the public that for years they have used massive Trade Tariffs and non-monetary Trade Barriers against the U.S. Totally unfair to our farmers, workers & companies. Take down your tariffs & barriers or we will more than match you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 8, 2018