Germany backs Macron’s call for EU army as Trump goes on explosive rant

This has been supported in Germany by Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) general secretary Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer.

The general secretary told the news portal t-online.de: “I believe that a European army makes sense.”

She added: “Along the way, we will have to reduce the parliamentary reservation for foreign deployments of the Bundeswehr a bit.”

Germany boasts the largest economy in the EU, however inside the bloc far too much is being spent on military according to Social Democratic Party (SPD) leader Andrea Nahles, who also backed the idea at the weekend.

In the EU there are 28 armies, 27 air forces and 23 navies, the SPD leader speaking at a debate camp in Berlin, said: “No wonder we spend an awful lot on the military.”

Germany’s support is a big boot to Mr Macron’s vision.

The French President believes the bloc has become the “victim” of the growing tensions between the world superpowers.

Mr Macron said: “We have to protect ourselves with respect to China, Russia and even the United States of America.

“We will not protect the Europeans unless we decide to have a true European army.”

The French leader went on to heavily criticise US President Donald Trump’s policies.

He added: “When I see President Trump announcing that he’s quitting a major disarmament treaty which was formed after the 1980s euro-missile crisis that hit Europe, who is the main victim? Europe and its security.”

Today Mr Trump took to Twitter in an explosive rant at Mr Macron.

He wrote: “Emmanuel Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the U.S., China and Russia.

“But it was Germany in World Wars One & Two – How did that work out for France? They were starting to learn German in Paris before the U.S. came along. Pay for NATO or not!”

Before their meeting last weekend to celebrate Armistice day, the US President stated the over-reliance Europe has on the US and called for “fair” and “efficient” system with the bloc taking greater responsibility.

Mr Trump said: “We want a strong Europe, it’s very important to us and whichever way we can do it the best and more efficient would be something we both want.

“We want to help Europe but it has to be fair. Right now the burden sharing has been largely on the United States.”

Shortly before Mr Macron and Mr Trump met on Saturday, the Elysee Palace acknowledged that the French leaders comments may have caused confusion.

During the private conversation Mr Macon then tried to calm things down.

Mr Macron said he supports Washington’s call for better burden-sharing within NATO, stating Europe could “bear a greater share of the common burdens in NATO”.

Additional reporting by Monika Pallenberg.