WWI Centenary in Paris: Europe Accepts Trump's Abdication, Plans Own Army

Emmanuel Macron

In a speech at the Arc de Triomphe, in Paris to commemorate the centenary of the end of WWI, French President, Emmanuel Macron, erased all doubt that Europe was finally prepared to bid farewell to US leadership including in the extremely crucial matter of Europe's defense. Prior to the commencement of the ceremonies, Macron called for a more integrated and independent European security infrastructure.

Macron minced no words in condemning Trump's policies.  Standing in the Paris drizzle just feet from other world leaders including President Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Angela Merkel, Macron used the final formal events of the World War I centenary celebration to praise the work of international institutions such as the European Union and the United Nations.

Macron and Trump

“Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism, nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism,” Macron said. “In saying ‘our interests first and who cares about the others,’ we erase what a nation has that’s most precious, what makes it live, what is most important: its moral values.”

Macron’s message was both unmistakable, it was a call to learn the lessons of 1918, when an unrealistic armistice was signed only to pave the way to another world war within two decades.  Macron referred to "present-day leaders" who shun the international order in favor of selfish nationalist policies.  Macron left no one in doubt that Trump was his target.

Trump had earlier announced “America First” policies when he stated at the UN in that he’s a “nationalist.”  Macron goes on to say “Let’s add up our hopes and not our fears,”  “Let’s reject the fascination for turning in on ourselves, violence, and domination.” He listed climate change, poverty, hunger, inequality and “ignorance,” a not so oblique rebuke of Trump's policies.