France: Trump Remains the Decision-Maker in US Foreign Policy

French Economy Minister Roland Lescure said on Wednesday that US President Donald Trump remains the decision-maker in foreign policy issues following the Republican Party's defeats in the US midterm elections.

The French minister added after the announcement of a "historic" Democratic victory in the midterm elections that Trump is "a person whose actions are unpredictable."

Lescure continued in an interview with the French channel BFM TV, saying, "Either he (Trump) decides to rise above the conflict, acknowledging the need for changes, particularly regarding gasoline prices which directly affect people, and I would add, to reduce his involvement in international affairs, or he does not do so."

He added, "Frankly, this is something we will need to monitor developments over the coming days."

Relations between Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron have seen repeated tensions since his return to the White House in January of last year, especially on issues of immigration, borders, and security.

This stems from Trump's repeated criticism of Europe's open policies towards migration from the Middle East and Africa, contrasted with Macron's more open and European stance, as the US president repeatedly warned Macron that France could "lose its country" if it did not close its borders, considering unassimilated immigration a threat to Western civilization.⁠

Tensions escalated sharply in mid-October last year, following widespread protests in France, where demonstrations began with student demands regarding the deterioration of schools and public services, then expanded to include the high cost of living and rising fuel prices.

Trump wrote on his platform Truth Social following acts of violence, theft, and arson, "France is burning," accusing "the migration of people from a completely different world who carry hatred in their hearts" of tearing apart the once-great country, and calling for immediate border closures.

Macron responded strongly, describing the comments as "stupid" and "unacceptable" from foreign leaders including Trump "among others," whom he accused of exploiting the situation in his country for political gain.