French lawmaker demands US to return the Statue of Liberty, accuses Trump of 'siding with tyrants'

While US President Donald Trump continues to issue tariff threats to several countries, especially Europe, France came up with its threat, which made many ponder if it is even possible. France’s MEP Raphaël Glucksmann, of the Socialists and Democrats group, slammed Trump for threatening to impose high tariffs and suggested that the famous Statue of Liberty — unveiled in New York in 1886 as a gift from the French people — should be sent back.

With his tongue in cheek, a grinning Glucksmann told the party convention that this is what the United States should do since the country has chosen to side with “tyrants”. “We’re going to say to the Americans who have chosen to side with the tyrants, to the Americans who fired researchers for demanding scientific freedom : ‘Give us back the Statue of Liberty,’" the French politician proposed.

“We gave it to you as a gift, but apparently, you despise it. So it will be just fine here at home,” Glucksmann added, according to Politico. Many believe that the French MEPs’ comments are likely about Washington’s decision to pause aid to Ukraine and Trump’s warmness to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

‘France would benefit if Americans lost their jobs’: Glucksmann

In yet another provocative remark, Gluckmann suggested that France could benefit if Americans continue to lose their jobs in Trump’s firing spree . He said that these people could emigrate to Paris and help the economy of the European nation.

“The second thing we’re going to say to the Americans is: ‘If you want to fire your best researchers, if you want to fire all the people who, through their freedom and their sense of innovation, their taste for doubt and research, have made your country the world’s leading power, then we’re going to welcome them,” Glucksmann said at the party convention.

The Statue of Liberty was unveiled in New York City’s harbour on October 28, 1886. It was gifted by France to mark the centennial of the American Declaration of Independence and was designed by Frenchman Auguste Bartholdi. It is pertinent to note that Paris does have a far smaller copy of the statue on a small island on the Seine in Paris.

While addressing his party, Glucksmann also criticised far-right leaders in France, accusing them of being a “fan club” for Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, who is the brain behind the president’s effort to cut spending.