France’s government has fired back at a flurry of critical tweets by Donald Trump, suggesting the US president lacked “common decency” by launching his broadside on a day when France was mourning victims of the November 2015 terror attacks.
Government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux said on Wednesday: “We were commemorating the assassination of 130 of our compatriots three years ago in Paris and Saint-Denis, and so I will reply in English: ‘Common decency’ would have been appropriate.”
The tweets underscored tensions between the once-friendly leaders and displayed Mr Trump’s irritation over criticism of how he acted in France.
On Trade, France makes excellent wine, but so does the U.S. The problem is that France makes it very hard for the U.S. to sell its wines into France, and charges big Tariffs, whereas the U.S. makes it easy for French wines, and charges very small Tariffs. Not fair, must change!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018
The problem is that Emmanuel suffers from a very low Approval Rating in France, 26%, and an unemployment rate of almost 10%. He was just trying to get onto another subject. By the way, there is no country more Nationalist than France, very proud people-and rightfully so!……..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018
……MAKE FRANCE GREAT AGAIN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018
“Diplomacy is not made through tweets but through bilateral discussions”, Mr Macron said during Wednesday’s weekly Cabinet meeting in comments reported by Mr Griveaux.
The French and the American leaders met on Saturday in Paris before ceremonies commemorating the centenary of the armistice of the First World War.
Dont worry bro ⭐️⭐️ https://t.co/dKBsmOjzoL
— Benjamin Mendy (@benmendy23) November 13, 2018
Since Mr Macron’s election last year and their first white-knuckle handshake at a Nato summit, they have had an up-and-down relationship.
Mr Macron called Mr Trump “my good friend” in front of reporters this weekend and their meeting was described as cordial by the French presidency.
Work in progress, dear Donald. @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/N5OsUVPmXc
— Kevin MAYER Décathlon (@mayer_decathlon) November 14, 2018
Mr Trump’s tweet that said “Make France Great Again!” revived French national pride on social media.
Many replied by recalling France’s World Cup victory in July, 20 years after winning its first title.
France player Benjamin Mendy replied “don’t worry bro”, placing two stars in his tweet to signify the country’s two World Cup victories.
Many others posted photos and reference to the football victory.
French decathlon champion Kevin Mayer tweeted “work in progress, dear Donald”, posting a photo of his recent world record, beating US athlete Ashton Eaton’s previous mark.
