Macron: ‘Trump talks indispensable’

Shortly before Mr Trump was to sit down with Mr Macron on Thursday, France’s recently elected leader said it is “obvious and indispensable” to have exchanges with Mr Trump, whose “America First” brand of politics has unnerved some stalwart European allies.

Mr Macron spoke at a news conference following a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel who, like Mr Macron, was deeply disappointed in Mr Trump’s recent decision to withdraw the US from a global agreement to combat climate change.

Mr Trump arrived in the French capital after an overnight flight from Washington for a whirlwind, 36-hour visit to meet with Mr Macron and tackle potential solutions to the crisis in Syria and discuss broader counter-terrorism strategies.

The president and first lady Melania Trump were greeted by Mr Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, at Les Invalides, site of Napoleon’s tomb.

Mr Trump planned to participate in Bastille Day celebrations on Friday and commemorate the 100th anniversary of the US entry into World War I before returning to Washington.

The two presidents will hold a joint news conference on Thursday after their talks, and Trump may be asked to respond to Ms Merkel in addition to fielding questions about emails showing that his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, welcomed the prospect of receiving Russian government support in last year’s presidential campaign against Hillary Clinton.

The leaders and their wives will cap Thursday with a lavish dinner at Jules Verne in the Eiffel Tower.

Melania and I were thrilled to join the dedicated men and women of the @USEmbassyFrance, members of the U.S. Military and their families. pic.twitter.com/ZSdsJ0Bsbl

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 13, 2017

NIA VISITS HOSPITAL

Melania Trump began her two-day visit to the French capital with visit to a children’s hospital.

At Necker Hospital, she visited a ward decorated with images from The Little Prince, an iconic French novel written and illustrated by Antoine de Saint-Exupery.

She spoke briefly in French to six children, asking how they were and introducing herself before switching to a translator to ask how long they expected to stay.

Thank U @hospital_necker for allowing me to visit your wonderful patients & inspirational staff. Continued prayers for good health for all. pic.twitter.com/3keri8EUC4

— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) July 13, 2017

One of the children, a 14-year-old girl named Ysatis, was in a wheelchair and said she expected to leave the hospital on Monday for a month of rehabilitation.

“You look very good, very strong ... Soon you’ll be walking and running,” Mrs Trump told her.

Ysatis said she appreciated the visit: “It was very pleasant and really good. She’s beautiful and gorgeous.”

Martin Hirsch, director of Paris’ public hospital system, presented the first lady with a copy of The Little Prince.

“I will keep it, practice my French. It’s beautiful,” she said.

Mrs Trump later tweeted her thanks to the hospital for allowing her to visit: “Continued prayers for good health for all.”