Donald Trump blames immigration for unrest in France and Italy, urging tighter border controls as French authorities investigate violence linked to protests….reports Asian Lite News Desk
US President Donald Trump has blamed immigration for unrest in France and Italy, urging European governments to tighten border controls. His remarks came amid demonstrations and episodes of violence in France over education conditions, rising living costs and declining purchasing power, although French authorities have not established immigration as the cause of the unrest.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Monday before departing for a campaign rally in Kansas, Trump said he had repeatedly warned French President Emmanuel Macron against allowing large numbers of migrants into the country.
The US President argued that European governments had failed to secure their borders and were now facing the consequences of their immigration policies.
“I told Emmanuel (Macron), you should close up your borders,” Trump said, referring to conversations with the French leader.
He added that he had warned Macron several years ago that France was making a mistake by permitting large-scale immigration.
Trump also extended his criticism to Italy, linking the unrest in both countries to immigration and suggesting that Europe faced broader challenges to its political and social stability.
The comments came as France witnessed widespread demonstrations and episodes of violence following weeks of protests over deteriorating school conditions, rising living costs and declining purchasing power.
The demonstrations, which initially involved students and education groups, expanded to include trade unions and other organisations.
Violence erupted in several French cities over the weekend, with vehicles set ablaze, businesses damaged and public buildings attacked.
The unrest also caused serious damage to the historic town hall in Limoges, where masked groups were reportedly involved in setting fires.
French authorities reported that more than 2,300 people had been taken into custody over the weekend as police attempted to contain the disturbances.
However, French officials have not established that immigration was responsible for the protests or that migrants were the principal organisers of the violence.
Macron condemned the attacks while distinguishing those responsible for violent acts from demonstrators expressing legitimate grievances.
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu also moved to strengthen public-order measures, including limited local restrictions aimed at preventing further rioting and looting.
Despite the lack of an established link between immigration and the unrest, Trump maintained that migration was central to Europe’s difficulties.
In a separate social media statement on Monday, he urged France to close its borders, arguing that the country’s immigration policies had contributed to the situation.
Trump’s remarks reflect his longstanding criticism of European immigration policies. He has repeatedly argued that European governments have admitted large numbers of migrants without adequately considering the consequences for national identity, public services and social cohesion.
The President has also urged US allies to adopt stricter border enforcement, presenting his administration’s immigration restrictions as an alternative to Europe’s approach.
The latest comments came as immigration remained a major political issue in the United States ahead of the November 3 congressional midterm elections.
Trump used the unrest in France to draw a contrast between his administration’s border policies and those of his Democratic opponents.
His remarks also highlighted differences between Washington and several European governments over migration, national sovereignty and responses to social unrest.
European immigration policies vary considerably, with governments adopting different approaches to asylum, border controls, labour migration and integration.
Immigration has become an increasingly prominent issue in European politics, particularly amid economic pressures and continuing debates over public services, integration and national identity.
