Donald Trump cancels Remembrance Day visit to WW1 cemetery to mark Armistice centenary as rain grounds Marine One

The White House said "bad weather" had created "logistical difficulties" for the US President and First Lady's trip to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery today.

Instead, White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford attend on their behalf.

A White House spokesperson said: "The President and First Lady's trip to Ainse-Marne American Cemetery and Mermorial has been cancelled due to scheduling and logistical difficulties caused by the weather.

"An American delegation led by Chief of Staff general John Kelly and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joe Dunford will attend on their behalf."

His cancellation comes after he received a bizarre pat on the knee from French President Emmanuel Macron.


Even though the two leaders have been engaged in a war of words ahead of commemorations to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, they appeared to brush their differences aside.

The presidents of the United States and France met today for talks at the Elysee Palace where Macron, 40, called Trump "my friend" despite the pair openly disagreeing over the creation of an EU army.

Trump, 72, 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."

Macron echoed those words, saying he wanted Europe to bear a greater share of the defence costs within NATO, a point he has made repeatedly since taking office, alongside calls for Europe to develop its own military capability.

"That's why I do believe my proposals for European defence are totally consistent with that," Macron said in English.




Trump is currently in France for the anniversary commemorations with the two leaders holding an hour of talks before having lunch with their wives.

During the weekend, Trump is scheduled to make pilgrimages to two American cemeteries, Belleau Wood east of Paris on Saturday and Suresnes on the western outskirts of the capital on Sunday, where he will make formal remarks.

Trump previously blasted Macron's idea for a "true" European army to protect itself from the US as "insulting".

The US President tweeted yesterday: "President Macron of France has just suggested that Europe build its own military in order to protect itself from the US, China and Russia.


"Very insulting, but perhaps Europe should first pay its fair share of NATO, which the US subsidises greatly!"

It comes three days after the French President said the US is as big a threat to the EU as Russia and China and called for a “true European army” to defend the bloc.

In an extraordinary attack on the US president, Macron lumped Washington together with Moscow and Beijing as Europe’s biggest foes.

The arch euro federalist insisted only a fully fledged EU defence force can protect the continent against the trio’s aggression.

He 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 president lashed Mr Trump for deciding to pull the US out of a nuclear treaty with Russia that was signed during the Cold War.

He raged: “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.”

Mr Macron made the comments in a radio interview from the town of Verdun – the site of a major WW1 battle – as he tours the Western Front ahead of Remembrance Day.

They were welcomed by the EU Commission, which said it has already put the wheels in motion for the eventual creation of a euro army.

A spokesman said: “If there is a Commission that has put forward the need for a meaningful defence identity for the EU, it’s this Commission.

“President Macron has been consistently putting forward this narrative for a stronger Europe that empowers and protects.

“This is totally totally compatible with our work and all contributions from our EU leaders, and especially from President Macron, are very much welcome.”

But the remarks were savaged by former British Army commanders, who said the revelations showed why the UK must pull out of the EU’s defence plans.

Major General Julian Thompson, who led British forces in the Falklands, told The Sun: “The EU Commission now openly admits it has created the preamble to an EU army.

"The UK is in that preamble and risks being kept in it.

“Ministers must withdraw or risk losing forever whole chunks of the UK’s democratic control over defence.”

Colonel Richard Kemp, a commander of UK troops in Afghanistan, added: “This is precisely what eurosceptics have been warning about.

“It is time for ministers now to take notice and rein in what they have agreed since the referendum.

"They have been led astray in the most crucial area of sovereignty.”

And Tory MEP Geoffrey Van Orden, a former British Army Brigadier, raged: “Instead of 18th century dreams of French-led European grandeur, President Macron should be helping build Western solidarity.

“That means helping and not obstructing a strong partnership with Britain and strengthening the NATO alliance.”



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