Trump, Macron Hold Talks On European Defense
U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron gesture as they meet at Elysee presidential palace.
U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron have attempted to smooth over tensions during a meeting in Paris on November 10.
Earlier, Trump described as "very insulting" a proposal by Macron to create a European defense force. Macron's office said the U.S. president misunderstood his proposal, which was aimed at reducing Europe's reliance on the United States for defense.
After the November 10 meeting, Macron said it's "unfair to have European security today being assured just by the United States."
Trump stressed that the United States wants to "absolutely be there" to help defend Europe, but renewed calls for NATO members to increase defense spending.
"We want to help Europe, but it has to be fair," Trump said. "Right now, the burden sharing has been largely on the United States."
Macron said he shared Trump's assessment.
"We need a much better burden sharing with NATO and that's why I believe my proposal for a European defense [is] utterly consistent with that," the French president said.
Trump and the U.S. first lady were in France for two days of commemorations of the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.
Based on reporting by AFP, AP, and Reuters