The relationship between US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron began simply enough, with a handshake nearly a decade ago. But even then, there were signs of strain—tensions that could be on full display during next week's G7 summit in France.
A Handshake That Foretold Tensions
In 2017, Trump was a brash businessman newly elected to America's most powerful office, while Macron was an upstart politician who had won his race in a landslide. At a NATO summit in Brussels, they clasped hands far longer than typical for a first meeting. Neither seemed willing to break the grip, which was so tight that it exposed white knuckles.
Nevertheless, a friendship emerged. Early on, Macron appeared to be the one European leader adept at managing his mercurial, three-decades-older counterpart. He invited Trump to join him for Bastille Day celebrations in July 2017, including an Eiffel Tower dinner with their wives. Trump reciprocated by making Macron the guest of honor at his first White House state dinner the following year—the highest diplomatic honor the US can extend to an ally.
From Bromance to Open Barbs
By the end of Trump's first term, the bromance had faded. In his second term, the leaders now openly trade barbs, disagreeing over tariffs, Ukraine, and the Iran war. This dynamic will be scrutinized next week when Trump and the leaders of Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy, and Japan join Macron in the French lakeside resort of Evian-les-Bains for the G7 summit.
Trump's long-simmering frustrations with US allies could be on display. There may be awkward moments between Trump and Macron, as well as with other G7 leaders he has criticized for not joining him in Iran. Max Bergmann, director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, noted that European leaders are professionals in politics and diplomacy, and may see the summit as an opportunity.
Kurt Volker, a former US ambassador to NATO, said the Trump-Macron relationship has been complicated by the Iran war and Trump's complaints that Europeans were not helping, even though they had not been consulted and their interests were affected. Trump joined Israel in a war against Iran over its nuclear program in February without consulting US allies, then complained publicly when European countries spurned his requests for help.
Waning support from the Trump administration for Ukraine in its war against Russia has also irritated the French. Volker said they feel the issue is important and that Washington is not paying attention. Macron invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to join the leaders' discussions on Tuesday.
Macron's Longest Relationship with Trump
Macron is the G7 member who has dealt with Trump the longest. In Trump's first term, Macron appeared confident that he could persuade and influence the US leader, but the relationship increasingly became defined by disagreements. Macron now says he is careful about Trump's statements, suggesting he no longer takes them at face value. Their relationship remains cordial, with each calling the other "my friend," but it has experienced ups and downs.
As President-elect, Trump attended the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris in late 2024 at Macron's invitation. After Trump began his second term in 2025, Macron was an early Oval Office visitor. Trump wrote on social media that he was delighted to welcome Macron back to the White House and said the relationship with France has been very special. However, during the meeting, Macron publicly corrected Trump after he wrongly suggested that Europe would recover the money it provided to support Ukraine. With a smile, Macron touched Trump's forearm and replied, "We provided real money."
Macron also condemned as "brutal and unfounded" new tariffs that Trump imposed on steel, aluminum, and a broader range of European imports in early 2025. Yet, there have been lighter moments. A documentary aired last year on French television showed Macron telling Trump during a phone call that Zelenskyy had agreed to a US-backed ceasefire proposal. Trump replied, "You're the greatest."
Macron has often said he can reach Trump directly whenever needed—and proved it during last year's UN General Assembly session in New York. After police officers blocked Macron from crossing a street because traffic had been halted for Trump's motorcade, Macron whipped out his cellphone and dialed the US President. "How are you?" Macron said. "Guess what? I'm waiting in the street because everything is frozen for you!"
Macron's Critique of Trump's NATO Ambiguity
Macron has argued that Trump's "America first" policies bolstered his case for a stronger European defense capability that would lessen reliance on the United States. In April of this year, as Trump sent mixed signals about Washington's commitment to NATO after the start of the war in Iran, Macron delivered some of his sharpest criticism. "There is too much talk, and it's going in all directions," Macron said. "We all need stability, calm and a return to peace. This is not a show." He added, "You have to be serious, and when you want to be serious, you don't say the opposite every day of what you said the day before."
Trump, while mimicking a French accent, recently took to reenacting a conversation he says he had with Macron over drug prices and tariffs. He also poked Macron by telling a private luncheon in April that his wife, Brigitte Macron, treats her husband badly. The comments were in a video the White House posted on its YouTube channel before blocking access. Macron did not see any humor in Trump's comments. "The remarks I heard were neither elegant nor appropriate," he said. "They do not deserve a response."
Still, Macron has tried to accommodate Trump's schedule to ensure his presence at the summit in Evian-les-Bains, knowing that Trump has a record of leaving such gatherings early. Macron originally set Sunday, which is Trump's 80th birthday, as the opening day of the summit, but he pushed the start back a day because Trump is celebrating the occasion with a UFC show staged on the White House grounds.
