U.S. President Donald Trump and French counterpart Emmanuel Macron are looking to set aside trade and climate change differences and find common ground as they meet ahead of Bastille Day celebrations in Paris.
Trump and Macron met at the Invalides monument for a tour of the golden-domed building housing some of France’s greatest war heroes, including Napoleon Bonaparte and the Supreme Allied Commander in World War I.
The national anthems of both countries played as the men stood at attention before reviewing troops at a formal welcome ceremony for Trump.
Just landed in Paris, France with @FLOTUS Melania. pic.twitter.com/knULGOQF1K
— @realDonaldTrump
Trump and Macron are expected to discuss possible solutions to the crisis in Syria and counterterrorism. The two leaders will appear later in the day for a joint news conference.
Trump will attend the Bastille Day celebrations on Friday before returning to the United States.
Trump’s decision last month to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate accord sparked anger across Europe. Anti-Trump protests are planned while he is in Paris.
Macron, Merkel urge ties with U.S.
Macron spoke at a news conference earlier Thursday after a meeting in Paris with German Chancellor Angela Merkel who, like Macron, was deeply disappointed in Trump’s recent decision to withdraw the U.S. from a global agreement to combat climate change.
Macron said Germany and France agree on the importance of close ties with the United States, despite the differences.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Macron met Thursday in Paris, before Macron’s meeting with Trump. Trump and Merkel were not expected to meet. (Michel Euler/Associated Press)
Merkel said differences with the U.S. are “regrettable” but that communication continues.
She added: “We did not paper over these differences, but nevertheless contact, the ability to speak, is of course important.”
Trump, Merkel, Macron and other leaders huddled last week in Hamburg during the G20 summit of the world’s leading rich and developing nations. Merkel and Macron met again Thursday in Paris, before Macron’s meeting with Trump. Trump and Merkel were not expected to meet.