Mon May 26 15:38:23 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article rewritten from the provided text, aiming for a news style:
**Summary:**
French President Emmanuel Macron downplayed an incident in Vietnam where his wife, Brigitte Macron, appeared to push him as they arrived for a state visit. Macron dismissed it as a joke and accused detractors of twisting videos to spread misinformation, citing a previous instance where a tissue was falsely labeled as cocaine. The incident occurred as Macron began a visit to Vietnam, aimed at strengthening France’s influence in the region amidst complex trade dynamics between Vietnam, the US, and the EU, including potential tariffs.
**News Article:**
**Macron Dismisses Wife’s Push as ‘Joke’ During Vietnam Arrival Amidst Trade Tensions**
**Hanoi, Vietnam – May 26, 2025** – French President Emmanuel Macron has brushed off an incident in which his wife, Brigitte Macron, appeared to push him as they arrived in Hanoi on Sunday to begin a tour of Southeast Asia. Video footage showed Brigitte Macron seemingly shoving the President before he descended from the plane, causing him to momentarily step back.
“I was bickering, or rather joking, with my wife,” Macron told reporters on Monday. “It’s nothing.”
The President also accused critics of manipulating video content to spread misinformation, referencing an earlier instance where a tissue he removed from a table was falsely identified as cocaine. The Elysee Palace has described the incident as a “moment of closeness” between the couple before the start of their official visit.
Macron’s trip to Vietnam, the first by a French President in nearly a decade, comes at a crucial time for international trade relations. Vietnam is seeking to avoid potential US tariffs of 46% by making concessions in trade talks. However, the EU has expressed concerns that Vietnam’s efforts to buy more American goods could disadvantage European exports.
The visit occurs against a backdrop of threatened tariffs from the US. While President Trump recently softened his stance and extended the deadline for trade talks with the EU to July 9, the situation remains volatile. The French President’s presence in Vietnam signals France’s intent to solidify its influence in the region, a former French colony, amidst these global trade uncertainties.
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