Trump and Macron hold ‘very constructive’ meeting after high tensions over creation of EU army

Leaders meet after US president described French counterpart's remarks as 'very insulting'

Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron held what officials called a “very constructive” meeting shortly after a public dispute over European defence.

The two leaders emphasised cooperation after earlier in the week the French president had called for the creation of a “true European army” to defend the European Union from outside threats, including China, Russia and the US.

Taking to Twitter as he touched down in Paris, the US president called the suggestion “very insulting” and said Europe should first pay “its fair share of Nato, which the US subsidises greatly”.

But as they met the Elysee Palace as part of a weekend marking 100 years since the end of the First World War, the pair appeared to be seeking reconciliation.

Mr Trump stating the US wanted to help in the realm of defence, explaining that “it’s very important to us to have a strong Europe”.

“Whichever way we can do it the best and most efficient would be something that we both want,” he said.

Asked about his counterpart's tweet, the US president said Mr Macron understood that “the US can only do so much” and added that they were "getting along from the standpoint of fairness".

Referring to his US counterpart as his “good friend”, the French leader reached out to give him a pat on the thigh as a reporter asked about their apparent dispute.

An Elysee Palace official said there had been a "misunderstanding" over the tweet and that Trump, had told Macron in their meeting: "I think we are much closer than it seems”. They also described the leaders’ meeting as “very constructive”.

Nato has been a contentious subject for the US president, and he has repeatedly called on European nations to contribute at least two per cent of their GDP towards the cost of the alliance.

Mr Macron said: "I do share President Trump's views that we need a much better burden sharing with Nato and that's why I do believe that my proposal for a European defence is utterly consistent with that."

Later, the French president reiterated that Europe needs to develop its military because it can no longer depend on the US for defence. This echoes Mr Trump’s previous comments about repercussions from the lack of European spending on Nato.

The US also recently announced it would pull out of the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces treaty (INF) arms treaty with Russia, a move that could further compromise Europe’s security.

The French and US leaders have had a turbulent relationship, clashing over subjects ranging from climate change to world trade.

Mr Trump had flown into Paris to join other world leaders on Sunday for a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe to mark the First World War centennial.

He was due to visit the American cemetery in Belleau, France, on Saturday, but the visit was called off due to poor weather.