President Trump on Thursday congratulated French President Emmanuel Macron for the “incredible campaign” he ran, just weeks after he defeated his populist rival Marine Le Pen, who Trump had praised on border issues.
“It is my great honor to be with the newly elected president of France, who ran an incredible campaign and had a tremendous victory. All over the world they’re talking about it,” Trump said in brief remarks to reporters at the United States ambassador’s residence in Brussels. “And we have a lot to discuss, including terrorism and other things. Congratulations. Great job.”
“For my part, I’m also very happy to be with President Trump,” Macron said, according to a translation provided to reporters. “We have an extremely large agenda to discuss: the fight against terrorism, the economy, climate and energy.”
Trump, who has been on his first foreign trip as president, is in Brussels on Thursday for meetings with European and NATO officials.
“The occasion of the NATO summit also allows us to have a first meeting, and I am very happy to be able to change many things together,” Macron said.
A pool report said reporters shouted questions about former national security adviser Mike Flynn, but Trump did not answer.
Trump and Macron had a working lunch over tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella, veal fillet with chateau potatoes, tri-colored vegetables and Belgian chocolate mousse, according to the pool report.
According to the White House, during lunch, Trump urged Macron to “meet the NATO defense spending pledge and ensure that NATO is focused on counterterrorism.”
“The president thanked President Macron for France’s leadership in counterterrorism efforts in Africa,” the statement said. “The leaders agreed on the critical importance of defeating ISIS in Iraq and Syria.”
Earlier Thursday, Trump met with European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels, a city Trump memorably referred to as a “hellhole” during the presidential campaign when talking about its recent issues with terrorism.
“Do you know, Mr. President, we have two presidents in the EU?” Tusk told Trump while the three took photos together.
Trump replied: “I know that.”
“One too much,” Juncker said.
Later Thursday, Trump will leave Brussels for Italy, where he will attend a G7 summit Friday and Saturday.
