President Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to pursue a “common response” to the Assad regime in Syria in the event of another chemical weapons attack, the French government said Tuesday after the two leaders spoke.
“The purpose of the meeting was to prepare for the bilateral meeting of the two presidents during the G20 meeting in Hamburg on 7 and 8 July,” the Elysee Palace said in a statement about the phone call between Trump and Macron.
“They also took stock of the Syrian issue and the need to work towards a common response to a chemical attack in Syria,” the statement continued. “The two presidents spoke about the situation in the Gulf and the need to avoid any escalation in the region. Both stressed that the fight against terrorism and its financing is a common challenge for all the countries of the region.”
The White House announced late Monday evening that U.S. agencies had witnessed “potential preparations” in Syria for a chemical attack on civilians. In early April, Syrian President Bashar Assad launched such an attack on his citizens, prompting Trump to authorize a targeted missile strike on the Syrian airbase from which the attack was orchestrated.
“President Macron renewed his invitation to President Trump and his wife to attend the parade on July 14th during which this year will be celebrated the 100 years of the entry of the United States into the war with the French troops during the First World War,” the French government said Tuesday in its statement about Macron’s call with Trump.
The White House did not immediately publish any details about Trump’s conversation with Macron and did not respond to a request for comment about the read-out.
