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French President Emmanuel Macron recently expressed his disapproval of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks at a private gathering, where Trump reportedly mocked Macron’s relationship with his wife, Brigitte.
In recent statements, Trump suggested that the United States would not take responsibility for keeping the Strait of Hormuz open. This strategic oil shipping route has been essentially blocked by Iran following recent tensions involving Israel and the United States.
During a presidential address this week, Trump advised NATO allies to take control of the Strait. “Go to the Strait and just take it, protect it, use it for yourselves,” he urged. He emphasized that while the U.S. would offer support, it was time for other nations to lead the efforts in safeguarding the vital oil supplies on which they heavily rely.
Trump also mentioned that “the hard part” of the situation had been addressed, although challenges remain as Iran retains the capability to target neighboring Gulf states, and shipping routes are still obstructed.
He also previously said “the hard part” had been done, though Iran still has the capacity to strike neighbouring Gulf states and shipping remains bottlenecked and blocked.
In response, Macron, who is on a presidential tour boosting relations in eastern Asia, said that using force to open the strait was “unrealistic”.
He also appeared to rebuke Trump’s inconsistencies on Iran, saying, “When we want to be serious, we don’t say the opposite of what we said the day before”.
Trump is known to be angry at European allies for not joining the US’s attack on Iran, although the US did not discuss the campaign with any of them.
Some nations, including Spain and Italy, have refused to allow their air bases to be used by US aircraft involved in the war.
France has sent troops to the Middle East, but as a defensive gesture to help protect allies there.
Brigitte Macron dragged into fray
While in South Korea, Macron was also asked about comments Trump had reportedly made during a speech at a private event yesterday.
“I called up France, Macron, whose wife treats him extremely badly, (he is) still recovering from the right to the jaw,” Trump said.
He was likely referring to a video from last year which appeared to show Brigitte Macron shoving her husband in the face while disembarking a plane.
President Macron later said the couple had been joking.
Asked about Trump’s new comments, Macron said they “weren’t elegant, and they weren’t up to par” but otherwise dismissed them as unworthy of attention.
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