Paris. France’s Foreign Minister said on Friday that at a time when America is making proposals that cannot be accepted, Europe has the right to raise its voice against them and say ‘no’ to them. Jean-Noel Barrot’s comments come amid growing frustration among some Washington allies over how President Donald Trump’s “America First” foreign and trade policies have eroded traditional relationships and alliances. In his annual speech to the French ambassadors, Jean-Noël Barrot said, “In just a few months, the new American administration has decided to rethink the relationships that bind us. It is their right. And it is our right to say no to a historic ally, no matter how historic, if we do not accept its proposal.”
Trump’s attitude towards Greenland is forcing European countries to think about the upcoming policy. This large island is a Danish area rich in minerals. Trump says that America needs this for its national security.
In this conference, Barrot described the US as a threat equal to President Vladimir Putin. He said Europe was under attack from outside by “enemies” who were trying to destroy old relationships.
“They dream of once again taking advantage of the differences between us, as they have done for centuries. They are already beginning to test the strength of our Union through threats and pressure, as evidenced by territorial incursions on our eastern side, trade blackmail and claims over Greenland, which is not for sale,” he said.
Barrot was speaking two days after German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier had scathingly spoken of “the breakdown of values by our most essential partner, the USA” and said the world could become “a den of robbers, where the most unscrupulous people can take whatever they want.”
With France holding presidential elections in less than 18 months, Barrot criticized efforts to side with “those political forces” that want to turn their backs on European heritage.
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