No one likes a traffic delay, including the president of France.
But not even Emmanuel Macron gets a free pass from roadblocks when a certain Donald Trump is in town.
The French leader was in New York when his car was stopped in its tracks by the city’s police to make way for Trump’s presidential convoy
Macron, who had just given an address at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, even got out of the car and spoke to officers.
In footage shared by French media outlet Brut, Macron tells the police: ‘I have 10 people with me, I am going to the French embassy.’
But the copper holds firm and apologises to the head of state: ‘I’m sorry, Mr President, everything is blocked right now.’
Macron has one final trick up his sleeve to get through the barrier: Trump’s phone number.
Video shows him calling up the US President and joking with him about the impasse.
He told the US leader: ‘Guess what, I’m waiting in the street because everything is closed for you.’
The conversation soon turned to politics, with Macron adding: ‘I would love it if we could have a short discussion with Qatar and you about the situation in Gaza.’
Despite the pleasantries, Macron was left with no choice but to continue to the French Embassy on foot.
He could be seen then on the phone as he paced down the street and stopped for some selfies with a few gobsmacked New Yorkers.
One kissed him on the head, with Macron having to tell his security team to stand down.
‘No, no, it’s okay, guys,’ he told his bodyguards.
The police thanked Macron for his patience during the road block, saying: ‘Thousands of NYPD officers are on call this week to ensure the safety of all New Yorkers and our foreign dignitary guests during the UN General Assembly.
‘Merci to President Macron for recognising the dedication and tireless efforts of our officers who safeguard this annual event.’
The French president used his appearance at the UN to recognise a Palestinian state.
He told the summit on Monday evening: ‘The time for peace has come, as we are just moments away from no longer being able to seize it.’
The move came a day after the UK formally recognised a Palestinian state.
Donald Trump spoke to the UN on Tuesday in a rambling 57-minute address.
During the speech, he falsely claimed that London’s mayor, who is Muslim, Sir Sadiq Khan, wants to institute Sharia law.
Trump said: ‘I look at London, where you have a terrible mayor, terrible, terrible mayor, and it’s been so changed.
‘Now they want to go to Sharia law but you’re in a different country, you can’t do that.’
A spokesperson for Sadiq said: ‘We are not going to dignify his appalling and bigoted comments with a response.’
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