France and England already have a history of fighting. Art, architecture, football, apart from a complex history of conquests, wars and alliances at various points in history. British prime ministerial candidate Liz Truss said on Thursday that “the jury is still out” on whether French President Emmanuel Macron is “friend or foe”. The comment did not go well.
On Friday, Macron suggested that France and the UK could be headed for “serious trouble”. During an official visit to Algeria, he said “it’s not good to lose your way too much” and “wouldn’t hesitate for a second” if asked the same question. France is a friend of the British people”.
The French president said that if the two countries “can’t say whether they are friends or enemies – that is not a neutral word – we are going into serious trouble”.
Britain’s Truss said that as prime minister she would judge Macron “by actions, not words”. But Macron declared that the UK was a “friendly country” and a strong ally “regardless of its leaders, sometimes it is”. Although Their leaders and the little mistakes they can make in a speech from the podium.”
Former top diplomats and a former French minister condemned Truss’s comments, saying it was irresponsible for someone who is not even prime minister to disparage a key ally and that the comment would damage channel relations.
Peter Ricketts, the former British ambassador to Paris, said Truss’s comments were thoughtless.
“France is our closest ally in defense and security. France has a 50-year commitment to test our nuclear weapons. “As the UK’s foreign secretary, its future prime minister, to insult the French president, mock him, engage in silly points for cheap laughs, is simply irresponsible,” he said.
Tensions built over more than five years of awkward talks over Britain’s exit from the European Union have been exacerbated by ongoing disputes across the Channel from the north, over migrant crossings in small boats, fishing permits and Ireland’s protocol.
Analysts say Paris no longer trusts London, while London believes Paris is only interested in punishing it for Brexit. Hopes of improved relations after Boris Johnson’s departure do not appear to be realized any time soon.
