Trump cancels trip to WWI memorial event because of poor weather

Donald Trump’s visit to a US war cemetery in France was called off by the White House because of bad weather.

The US President was scheduled to fly in Marine One to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial near Belleau Wood on Saturday afternoon. 

He was due to take part in a wreath-laying event and a minute’s silence at the site, which is about 55 miles away from Paris, but heavy rain stopped him from arriving via helicopter. 

It is thought that White House chief of staff John Kelly, who is a retired Marine Corps general, his wife and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will visit instead.

The cemetery is the site of a 1918 First World War battle in which the American and French troops repelled the German forces and more than 1,800 US soldiers died.

Earlier on Saturday, Mr Trump was meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. It came after he attacked Mr Macron on Twitter and said he had “suggested that Europe build its own military 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!”

In their meeting, Mr Macron defended his push for more robust European defence. 

As the two men met at the French presidential palace, Mr Macron called Mr Trump “my good friend” and even appeared to tap him on the thigh. The two men have had an up-and-down relationship. 

Their meeting got off to a tense start after Mr Trump called it “insulting” that Mr Macron wants a European army. But Mr Macron defended the idea, saying: “It’s unfair to have European security today being assured by the US.” 

“That’s why I believe we need more European capacities and more defence to take this part of the burden,” he said. He said the states in the US do not ask France or Germany or other countries to finance their armies. 

Mr Trump assured that the United States will “help” with European defence but repeated his insistence that nations on the continent pay their fair share. 

The US President said that Mr Macron “understands that the United States can only do so much.” But he also made clear that the US was not disengaging, declaring “we want to help.” 

They later emerged on the steps of the Elysee Palace with their wives Brigitte and Melania. Mr and Mrs Trump are in France to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the end of the First World War.