THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FRENCH PRESIDENT MACRON EMMANUEL AND U.S PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP

Researched by Ojieriakhi Sunny Tessy

Macron and Trump first met at the NATO summit in May 2017, where their infamous handshake became a symbol of their competitive dynamic. 

Trump and Macron developed a warm relationship during Trump’s first term, often making headlines for their exuberant displays of affection, including long handshakes, embraces, and back-slapping.

   The bond between the American and French leaders has led to some head turning questions in Washington and European capitals, given their disagreement over some issues like the Iran nuclear accord, trade disputes, and climate change.  But unlike other foreign leaders who seemed to fall on every word/action of the US president,  Donald Trump, Macron stated that he would not be intimated by Trump.

A few weeks after their first encounter, Macron invited Trump to the Bastille Day celebrations in Paris (July 2017), a tactic which Macron used to strengthen their diplomatic ties. Trump was impressed by the military parade and even suggested a similar event in the U.S. This visit marked one of the high points in their relationship, with both leaders emphasizing historical Franco-American ties.

A major contention between the US president, Donald trump, and the French president Macron Emmanuel was the NATO and defense spending, where Trump argued that the U.S. was unfairly carrying the financial burden of the alliance. According to NATO guidelines, each member nation is supposed to spend at least 2% of its GDP on defense, but by 2017, only a few countries (including the U.S. and the UK) met this target. Donald trump theeatened to withdraw the U.S. from NATO and hastened other countries to meet their 2% target faster.

Macro acknowledged the need for a stronger european defense but resisted Trump’s aggressive demands.

   In November 2019, Macron made one of the most shocking statements of his presidency, declaring that "NATO is experiencing brain death." Reacting to Trump’s decision to withdraw from NATO.

   For all their differences over global policies, President Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron have struck up an unexpected friendship and partnership. So much so that Macron is the first foreign leader in the Trump presidency to receive full state visitor treatment, including a lavish dinner, at the White House.

  Macron, who has built a cordial rapport with Trump, was the first European leader to visit him since the beginning of his second term on January 20. The French leader’s visit came at a time of growing public tensions between Europe and the US, especially over the continent’s security and over the fate of Ukraine in its war against Russia.

United States President Donald Trump welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron to the White House on Monday, 24th of February 2025, for discussions on Ukraine, European security, and trade.

The leaders maintained their usual friendly tone on Monday, paying compliments to each other and gripping hands even while disagreeing on several points.

At the rendezvous Monday at the White House, Macron executed his signature maneuver: praise laced with correction. Calling Trump “Dear Donald” four times in a single news conference, he underscored their shared goals, particularly on Ukraine. 

The French leader also made the rare move of cutting Trump off mid-sentence, as the US president falsely claimed that Europe was simply loaning Ukraine money for its war effort, expecting it to be repaid.

“No, in fact, to be frank,” said Macron, placing a hand on Trump’s arm to interrupt him, “we paid 60 percent of the total effort and it was – like the US – loans, guarantees, grants.”

Trump, flashing a smile, responded: “If you believe that, it’s ok with me.”

British broadcaster Piers Morgan, a longtime friend of Trump, said Macron showed he is one of the most skilled leaders in dealing with the US president.

“No world leader handles Trump as well as Macron. Friendly but firm, respectful, but not afraid to stand up to him when he thinks he’s wrong. And Trump respects him for it,” Morgan wrote in a post on X.

Macron and Trump have perfected the political pas de deux. And in the high-stakes world of diplomacy, sometimes a well-placed pat says more than words ever could.

Sources:

https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2025/2/25/key-takeaways-from-donald-trumps-meeting-with-frances-macron

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/column-trump-and-french-president-macrons-unexpected-friendship

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg592557vgo.amp