In their first meeting since Trump’s announcement that the US will withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, Macron and the US president played down differences between the two countries.
Trump deflected questions about whether the US might rejoin the Paris accord, saying that “if it happens that will be wonderful, and if it doesn’t that will be OK too.”
Macron stressed that the disagreement on climate need not get in the way of cooperation. “Should that have an impact on the discussions we’re having on all other topics? No, absolutely not,” he said.
While much of the media coverage was focused on recent revelations of contacts between president Trump’s son and a Russian lawyer, the two leaders found common ground in their approach to Syria.
As Trump praised efforts to implement a cease-fire in Syria, Macron said the two discussed a roadmap to help stabilize the country once peace has been achieved.