French President Emmanuel Macron has criticised US President Donald Trump and other foreign leaders for their remarks about the recent unrest in France, accusing them of using the situation to advance their political agendas.

Speaking to reporters in Doha on Wednesday, October 21, Macron said foreign manipulation of information following the violence and looting had led to comments he described as “unacceptable” and “stupid”.

When asked whether he was referring to Trump, Macron replied, “Among others.”

The remarks came after Trump attributed the unrest in France to immigration and urged European countries to tighten their borders. Macron rejected claims that France had been overrun by migrants and Islamists, describing them as false.

Macron rejects claims linking unrest to immigration

Trump had argued that immigration was responsible for the violence in France, dismissing other explanations related to education and social concerns. He also urged Macron to close France’s borders, warning that the country faced serious consequences if it failed to act.

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump claimed that immigration had damaged France and called on the country to regain control of its borders.

Macron pushed back against this narrative, saying that some foreign leaders were repeating misleading claims about the situation. He also highlighted the circulation of artificial intelligence-generated images that depicted events he said had never taken place in France.

The French president said claims that the country had been invaded by large numbers of migrants and Islamists were “completely false”.

Macron argued that some politicians were using France’s domestic situation to support their own political campaigns, particularly as elections approach in their respective countries.

French minister offers to counter misinformation

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said his office could provide clarification to countries concerned about the situation.

He said the aim was to help prevent the spread or amplification of false information and unsupported claims on social media.

Macron also criticised those speaking negatively about France during the unrest, saying that foreign leaders should not exploit the country’s difficulties for political purposes.

Protests driven by rising living costs

The unrest followed demonstrations over rising living costs, inflation and concerns about public services. The protests initially involved students demanding more teachers and better school conditions before expanding to include trade unions and others concerned about economic pressures.

Violence and looting subsequently affected Paris and other French cities.

The French interior ministry estimated that 550,000 people took part in the nationwide demonstrations, while the CGT trade union put attendance at 800,000. The demands reported in connection with the demonstrations centred on living costs and public services rather than immigration.

The French government has faced pressure to prevent further violence, with additional demonstrations planned in the coming days.

Macron said France had the means to maintain order and indicated that a state of emergency was not necessary at that stage.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has described the relationship between India and the United States as one marked by an “extraordinary alignment” on important national interests, while acknowledging that the two countries may disagree on certain matters.

Speaking at a ‘Freedom 250’ reception in Mumbai on Tuesday during his visit to India, Rubio said the partnership between the two countries could play a significant role in shaping the 21st century. He emphasised the importance of cooperation between the two nations on issues that affect their respective national interests.

Rubio highlights shared priorities in the Indo-Pacific

Rubio identified the need for a free and open Indo-Pacific as a key area of common ground between New Delhi and Washington. He said both countries had an interest in ensuring that no nation claimed dominance over international shipping routes.

He acknowledged that disagreements between countries were inevitable but said the alignment between India and the US on core issues remained significant, particularly given the size and influence of both nations.

Rubio also described India as a powerful, influential and advanced country, calling it a strong geopolitical partner for the United States.

India-US relationship could shape the 21st century

Rubio said the partnership between the two countries could help shape the course of the coming decades. He pointed to shared values, including individual dignity, democratic principles and the rule of law, as common ground between the two nations.

He also noted that decisions being taken today on geopolitics, economics, trade and commerce would have consequences for future generations.

The US Secretary of State said he believed the relationship between India and the United States could positively influence what the 21st century looks like.

Trade ties remain an important part of the relationship

Rubio’s remarks come amid ongoing discussions between India and the United States over trade and other bilateral issues.

Earlier on Tuesday, he said the two countries were very close to signing a bilateral trade agreement, with a small number of outstanding points still to be resolved.

Trade relations have faced challenges over tariffs, India’s purchases of Russian oil and US immigration policies. Despite these differences, Rubio’s comments underscored Washington’s emphasis on the broader strategic partnership with New Delhi.

US President Donald Trump has waived many Russia-related sanctions, restrictions and duties, offering relief to India and China amid the threat of additional tariffs over their purchases of Russian oil and gas.

The waiver came one day before the measures were due to take effect under a bill signed into law by Trump last month. The legislation sought to increase pressure on Russia by enabling additional tariffs on countries buying its oil and gas.

Trump issued an executive order waiving many Russia-related measures, easing the immediate threat of additional tariffs for major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India and China.

What Trump’s waiver means for India and China

India and China have been among the largest buyers of Russian energy, putting them at risk under the new US legislation.

The law authorised the US president to impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from major importers of Russian oil and gas. Such penalties were intended to pressure countries to reduce their purchases of Russian energy and limit Moscow’s revenue during the Ukraine war.

The waiver eases the immediate threat posed by those provisions. However, it should not be interpreted as a permanent removal of every possible Russia-related sanction or tariff. The scope of the decision is defined by the measures covered under the executive order.

What is the Lindsey Graham Act?

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 was enacted to expand Washington’s ability to penalise Russia and countries supporting its energy trade.

The legislation allows the US president to impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods imported from countries covered by its provisions on Russian oil and gas purchases.  It also provides for sanctions targeting Russian officials, financial institutions and energy interests, alongside measures against entities involved in helping Russia evade existing restrictions.

The legislation is named after the late US Senator Lindsey Graham, who was a prominent advocate of stronger economic pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

Importantly, the law gave Trump discretion over the use of its tariff provisions rather than automatically imposing the maximum tariff on every country buying Russian energy. It also included a mechanism allowing the president to waive measures when he certifies that doing so serves US national interests.

Why the decision matters amid the Ukraine war

The US legislation was intended to increase pressure on Russia by targeting both its energy revenues and countries that continued to purchase its oil and gas.

For India, the potential tariffs had added another point of friction in its trade relationship with Washington. New Delhi has maintained that its energy purchasing decisions are guided by national interests and energy security.

China, another major importer of Russian energy, had also faced the prospect of additional trade penalties under the law.

Trump’s decision to waive several measures reduces the immediate tariff threat for affected countries. However, the move does not itself resolve the wider dispute over Russian energy purchases or the continuing war in Ukraine. The administration’s future decisions will determine how the relevant provisions are applied.