Macron publicly correcting Trump's falsehood

Smash…. next question

An interesting article on why decoupling from the US is harder for the UK. France's nuclear weapons are independent of America. Ours aren't.

https://arthursnell.substack.com/p/unravelling-the-atlantic-alliance?r=8jnwf&triedRedirect=true

Bingo.
I do hope the European leaders stand up to DT this time round. There was too much smiling and nodding along with a slightly nonplussed look last time, but this time round they know how dangerous he is and there’s more at stake. Merz has spoken up, Macron has spoken up. Sadly I have my doubts about Starmer. Faced with DT’s forceful ways I fear he’ll crumple, and do that “oh this is so awfully difficult” face and go weak and sycophantic. I hope I’m wrong because we need strength and solidarity with other European countries.

That was a master class of diplomacy and class.

Agreed!

Pure political skill from Macron, aided by his knowledge of the situation in Ukraine and basic intelligence.

Trump was just... well he was Trump.

Bravo Macron. But Trump doesn’t listen to anything he says. He was just pulling faces and making hand signals to indicate it wasn’t correct. Nothing goes into his dumb brain once his “programmers” have told him something. It reminded me of the “they are eating our cats and our dogs”. Complete bullshit but he believed what he was saying!

Macron reminds me a little of Jacinda Ardern in that he addresses hard stuff head-on and takes no prisoners, while showing a very relatable humanity.

But it came across as kind and gentle...but ultimately patronising. Macron, we should remember is also handling this in a second language while the orange buffoon can't even articulate in his first and only language.

What a contrast.

He's got a lovely voice!!

Absolutellement!! Charm seems an inadequate descriptor.

Same

I don't think there's much jeopardy for Starmer. The groundwork has been done

I bet Starmer is nervous but he'll be firm and resolute I hope

He lies about this stuff all the time.

I can’t make up my mind on this either. Does Trump believe this stuff because he is only briefed and surrounded by people who tell him this or does he lie because it will have been said and people will still believe it because they heard him say it.

No idea.

Loved it! I'm glad we got Macron before Starmer.

• He wants to paint the picture of poor America losing all this money on ungrateful Europe so it suits that narrative to say it was a loan

Well that's what I thought, but saying it in front of macron when it's a blatant lie just seems stupid. Maybe he didn't think he'd be challenged I guess. I was wondering if I was missing something

He doesn't. I imagine he's just trying to boost his own argument that America has a claim on Ukraine's minerals by saying the Europe is also being paid back.

Macron can put his hand on my arm any day.

Yeah, this. Had the look of a younger man politely correcting his confused radicalised uncle.

I think Starmer has to be so careful not to offend, he’s walking a bit of a tightrope. He’s got to have substantial and difficult discussions because without them nothing will be achieved, but if he pushes too hard he could just get shut down, and again, nothing would be achieved. Macron carried that off with some charm - I’m not sure Starmer has the same skill set, whilst undoubtedly completely capable, I think he will need a different approach.

Everything sounds better with a Gallic twang.

He was superb.

"Starmer's not as smooth and natural as Macron but am hoping he will stand his ground in his own way"
In the geopolitical equivalent of looking kind of sturdily stylish wearing an anorak in the Paris rain while everyone else is huddling under plastic ponchos, kind of way. Hope so.

It’s a shame though he also didn’t point out that USA singed a deal during Ukraine’s nuclear disarmament, along with Russian for that matter, to not use economics threats, and for USA to provide , free of charges , defensive support.

But it was a start….

you could see him biting his lip during trumps “mineral deal “ ramble..agian he should have stepped in and said “you are breaking the 1994 memorandum thst usa signed to agree to not exert economic pressure on Ukraine “

2 chances missed.

trump and Russia are only interested in getting their hands on Ukraine’s assets - they have 5% of worlds total mineral deposits including graphite and lithium - oh, like what’s needed by musk? But also titanium and uranium . Ukraine , ifvthey weren’t spending money on protecting their borders, would go back to being one of the wealthiest nations in the world. And a boast to Eu Funding. But Russia and now America want to get hold of it. This deal is all about USA and Russia doing a deal togther on dividing up spoils. Of course they don’t want ukriane in negotiations. They’re not negotiating ukriane…only its minerals

Disinformation yet again from him, if he says it’s a loan he can complain about not getting it back like the US has been ripped off somehow, I think he knows the truth but it doesn’t fit his narrative.