Trump criticises France over trade and taxes, shifting focus from China during a discussion on foreign students.
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump unexpectedly criticised France during a Monday interview with Fox News, stating “we’ve had a lot of problems with the French.”
Fox News presenter Laura Ingraham had been questioning Trump about Chinese students at US universities when he abruptly shifted focus.
“Do you think the French are better, really? I will tell you, I’m not so sure,” Trump interjected.
The US president specifically highlighted France’s taxation policies as a point of contention.
“We’ve had a lot of problems with the French where we get taxed unfairly on our technology,” Trump said.
Trump has previously threatened “substantial” additional tariffs against countries implementing what he considers discriminatory digital taxes.
The remarks came amid discussion of his administration’s fluctuating stance on foreign students, following Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s May announcement about aggressively revoking Chinese student visas.
Trump later stated the US would allow 600,000 Chinese students to enter the country.
Trump’s relationship with French President Emmanuel Macron has featured highly publicised moments including muscular handshakes and mutual backslapping.
Their partnership has experienced tensions over Macron’s recognition of a Palestinian state and climate policy disagreements.
The US leader has consistently pressured Europe, including France, to increase defence spending through NATO.
Macron has participated in European efforts to maintain Trump’s support for Ukraine’s military defence against Russia. – AFP
