France’s President Emmanuel Macron is calling for the creation of a new European army to defend against a list of potential threats – and the United States is on the list. France was America’s first ally (since 1778) – will they now be our enemy?
While Macron didn’t single out the U.S. as an enemy of France (or Europe), he did list us alongside other countries he sees it necessary to protect against (because of President Trump, of course).
As quoted by the British paper The Independent, Macron told France’s Europe 1 radio:
“We have to protect ourselves with respect to China, Russia and even the United States of America. When I see President Trump announcing that he’s quitting a major disarmament treaty which was formed after the 1980s Euro-missile crisis that hit Europe, who is the main victim? Europe and its security.”
He continued: “We will not protect the Europeans unless we decide to have a true European army. We need a Europe which defends itself better alone, without just depending on the United States, in a more sovereign manner.”
Listen below:
Macron previously proposed a similar European military
Macron has proposed a joint European military before. Below is one such instance from September of last year (translated closed captions are available in the settings). While the proposal is nothing new, citing the United States as a potential foe, and dissatisfaction with Trump, are new. His argument for a European army was all based on efficiency and creating a more unified Europe.
Mixed response to the proposal
Given the reactions to Macron’s proposal, don’t expect to see a European army anytime soon.
Despite the USA saving France, we have a French President that hates America. https://t.co/Zsp91lo5Ui
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) November 6, 2018
Another reason we are right to be leaving the EU. We are constantly told that the threat of a Euro-Army is a myth… https://t.co/gnOzLug5Wh @BrexitCentral @StandUp4Brexit
— Bernard Jenkin (@bernardjenkin) November 6, 2018
Emmanuel Macron calls for “a real European army” to protect the continent (and in reality to threaten countries that defy the EU elite): https://t.co/ZRj9z5ASR2 #Brexit
— Richard Wellings (@RichardWellings) November 6, 2018
‘Emmanuel Macron has warned that Europeans cannot be protected without a “true, European army.”
I thought it was a ‘dangerous fantasy’ @nick_clegg? Care to explain? #remainlieshttps://t.co/i3YKsO5pfG
For the full clip: https://t.co/aDHZeORXj8 pic.twitter.com/e6137RgKQC— Labour Leave (@labourleave) November 6, 2018
No, we don’t need a European Army
No, it’s not going to increase safety
Imagine our boys & girls being sent to fight /defend /operate by bureaucrats who you can’t vote for and aren’t accountable to you
We have NATO, Interpol, Europol & our own services https://t.co/76feHcblkf
— Alicia Kearns (@aliciakearns) November 7, 2018
One of the most delusional statements made by a French president in the modern era. https://t.co/REGxndxblw
— Nile Gardiner (@NileGardiner) November 7, 2018
Macron reportedly read “The Art of the Deal” before he first met with President Trump, but apparently, that didn’t prepare him enough to deal with Trump if he’s now calling for an army to protect himself against the man.