Trump’s tariff threat strains relationship with Macron

President Trump threatened President Emmanuel Macron with tariffs and dismissed him as irrelevant, the latest flare-up in a topsy-turvy relationship that has blown hot and cold for years. Since 2017 the two leaders have had frequent disagreements, exacerbated, from Mr. Trump’s side, by insults, threats and public derision.

Mr. Macron often tried to temper Mr. Trump’s impulses through moments of friendship and expressions of admiration; the two have also built ties on direct, personal relationships and speak regularly, diplomats have said, sometimes as often as every other day. Incidents cited in recent years include public displays of warmth in 2017 and a 2018 White House visit when Mr.

Trump said, "I like him a lot," as well as later clashes over NATO and other policies. Critics such as the economist Philippe Aghion have urged a halt to reliance on charm, saying, "We have to stop with the charm" and calling on European leaders to "do whatever it takes" to oppose Mr.

Trump’s bid to acquire Greenland. Mr. Trump later posted private text exchanges on Truth Social that showed Mr. Macron celebrating alignment on Syria and Iran, writing, "I don't understand what you are doing in Greenland," and inviting him to Paris: "Let us have a dinner together in Paris together on Thursday before you go back," he wrote.

Key Topics

Politics, Donald Trump, Emmanuel Macron, France, Greenland, Tariffs