Sunday, October 18, 2026

Trump urges Macron to close France border amid violent protests

Mr Trump urged France which he described as once great country to tighten migration rules.

• October 18, 2026
Riots in France.
Riots in France[Credit: AI Jazeera]

United States President, Donald Trump, has urged France President, Emmanuel Macron, has said the country was burning, urging him to close its borders. 

France has been embroiled in violent protests since September 28, over rising cost of living and poor education conditions in schools.

Taking to his Truth Social platform on Sunday, Mr Trump blamed immigration for the unrest, and urged “the once great country” to tighten migration rules, but failed to present proof linking the protests to immigration.

Mr Trump said, “France is burning! The immigration of people from an entirely different world, people with hatred in their hearts, has shattered that once great country. Close your Borders and take control, before it is too late!”

The violent protests witnessed the razing of a historic Limoges City Hall, built more than 140 years ago, as well as the damage and looting of one municipal police station, which has led to the arrest of about 1,800 protesters.

Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators hit the streets across the country but restrained by riot policemen.

Cars were torched, shops damaged and looted as well as smokes fouled the air in some cities and towns.

The protests are against the rise in the prices of gasoline, energy and food prices in the last few months. 

Household budgets have been squeezed by energy prices, 21.3 per cent higher in September than a year earlier, and a 25.7 per cent rise in petrol prices, according to the 

Data by the National statistics agency INSEE, showed that unemployment reached 8.3 percent in the second quarter, up from 7.6 per cent in 2025.

The Elysée Palace has however announced after a meeting with France Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, and other government ministers, that Mr Macron would “solemnly” address the country at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday.

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