Macron slams Trump for using France unrest for US midterm campaign

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday slammed world leaders for "campaigning behind France's back" with their remarks on the ongoing nationwide protests over rising living costs and deteriorating school conditions.

Without naming US President Donald Trump, Macron said France was already dealing with difficulties and did not need foreign leaders using its problems for their election campaigns.

"We are already dealing with difficulties, we do not need foreign leaders using our problems for their election campaigns," Macron said.

This comes after Trump invoked violent unrest in France to attack political opponents and rally support for Republicans, warning that similar scenes could unfold in the United States if his political opponents prevail in the November 3 midterm elections.

Trump claimed he had warned French President Emmanuel Macron to close France's borders, saying Paris would otherwise become a "Muslim city".

At a rally on Monday evening, Trump blamed immigration for the unrest in France, where protests over rising living costs and declining purchasing power escalated into looting and clashes with police in several cities, according to Reuters.

"If you want to see what is at stake in this election, just look at what's happening in France," Trump told the crowd.

Nationwide demonstrations in France were called over the cost of living and pressure on household purchasing power. Reports of looting, fires and clashes prompted arrests and additional security measures, although the causes of the unrest extend beyond immigration.