GETTY Martin Schulz and Donald Trump got involved in a Twitter spat

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Mr Schulz, President of the European Parliament from 2012 to 2017, responded to a tweet from the US President Donald Trump defending his son, Donald Trump Junior’s actions. The US president's son has been heavily criticised for meeting Natalia Veselnitskaya at Trump Tower during the US Presidential campaign in 2016. British-born music publicist Rob Goldstone set up the meeting after emailing Mr Trump Jnr to say he would receive damaging information about Hillary Clinton.

GETTY Donald Trump and his son at an election event last year

I wouldn't have gone there. This is not politics Martin Schulz

Mr Trump used Twitter to defend his son, writing: “Most politicians would have gone to a meeting like the one Don Jr attended in order to get info on an opponent. That's politics!” But Mr Schulz, main challenger to Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Christian Democraic Union in Germany's upcoming national elections, was quick to get involved. He tweeted: “I wouldn't have gone there. This is not politics.” Mr Trump has publicly defended his son’s meeting with a Russian lawyer as “opposition research” as an official complaint over the talks was lodged in the United States.

GETTY Martin Schulz took Donald Trump down with a tweet attacking his Russian links

He said: “As far as my son is concerned, my son is a wonderful young man. “He took a meeting with a Russian lawyer. Not a government lawyer, but a Russian lawyer. “I think from a practical standpoint most people would have taken that meeting. “It’s called opposition research, or even research into your opponent.”

GETTY Donald Trump has defended his son over his links with a Russian lawyer

Donald Trump: Made in America Showcase, in pictures Tue, July 18, 2017 Donald Trump gave a speech at the "Made in America Showcase" – an event designed to highlight products made in America – at a special event held at the White House in Washington, DC Play slideshow REUTERS 1 of 9 Vice President Mike Pence laughs as U.S. President Donald Trump holds a baseball bat as they attend a Made in America product showcase event at the White House