“This visit is really important in our current context, with so many uncertainties, troubles and, at times, threats,” Mr. Macron said after landing in Washington. Mr. Macron has framed the visit as an opportunity to guide Mr. Trump back into the fold of international multilateral cooperation and longstanding Western alliances. Mr. Macron has also warned Mr. Trump that pulling American forces out of Syria would create a power vacuum in which Iran, Russia and terror groups would thrive. Mr. Trump announced plans to pull out of the Paris climate accord despite sustained lobbying from the French leader. Mr. Trump returned to Washington and reassigned Jamie McCourt, who was slated to helm the embassy in Belgium, to France.

Source: Wall Street Journal April 23, 2018 19:41 UTC