Macron, Trump in show of unity after defence row

French President Emmanuel Macron sought to defuse a row with US counterpart Donald Trump yesterday, hailing the "great solidarity" between their countries after Trump blasted his proposals for a European army.

The two leaders held talks at the presidential palace in Paris ahead of World War 1 commemorations taking place in the shadow of a new nationalist surge worldwide.

Their body language was less warm than during Trump's last trip to Paris in July 2017 and Macron's visit to the White House in April, underscoring a general cooling in relations which were further strained by a late-night tweet by Trump on defence.

Defending his call during the week for a European army, Macron said: "It is unfair to have European security being assured by the US".

Trump's visit, which kickstarts two days of events marking the centenary of the end of World War 1 today, had looked set to be tumultuous after he fired off a tweet on arrival in Paris late Friday berating Macron's calls for a European army.

"President Macron of France has just suggested that Europe build its own military in order to protect itself from the US, China and Russia," the US president tweeted, referring to remarks made by Macron three days earlier. "Very insulting, but perhaps Europe should first pay its fair share of Nato, which the US subsidizes greatly!," he added.

Trump appeared particularly irked by the French leader's referral to the US alongside China and Russia as national security threats.

Meanwhile, European Union chief Donald Tusk yesterday accused Trump of being averse to a "strong and united" Europe.

"For the first time in history we have an American adminstration that is, to put it mildly, not enthusiastic about a united and strong Europe," Tusk said in a speech in his native Poland.

"I'm speaking about facts, not propaganda," Tusk -- a possible future Polish president -- said on the eve of celebrations to mark Poland's 100th anniversary of independence.