President Trump, first lady Melania Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron wave during an arrival ceremony at the White House in Washington, April 24, 2018. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
Defense News: France wonders: Can we always count on American support?
PARIS — The U.S. is a close and valued ally to France, but the European country seeks continentwide strategic autonomy in defense and security, with a stronger and more cooperative industrial base, said French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly.
“The United States is our ally and our friend, and it will remain so,” she said Sept. 11 at the Summer defense university, a gathering of parliamentarians, officers and foreign guests. “Our cooperation in defense and security is intense and highly valued.”
Parly had planned to pass on that message when she saw U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis in Washington on Thursday, but that trip to the U.S. — which included a presentation at the Atlantic Council — was canceled due to Hurricane Florence hitting the East Coast.
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WNU Editor: Wrong question. The real question is .... can the U.S. count on French/European support?
