Trump, Macron Look to Past, Future as U.S.-French Alliance Moves Ahead by Jim Garamone
The U.S. and French presidents spoke to the media following meetings at the Hotel des Invalides here. Trump’s visit marks 100 years since U.S. troops arrived in France to fight in World War I.
“Ever since General Lafayette joined the American fight for independence, our fates and fortunes have been tied, unequivocally, together,” Trump said. “It was a long time ago, but we are together. And I think together, perhaps, more so than ever. The relationship is very good.”
The visit also marks the 100th anniversary of the first American troops to arrive in France during World War I. They were the vanguard of more than 2 million service members who made up the American Expeditionary Force. “We remember the tens of thousands of Americans who gave their lives in that valiant and very difficult struggle,” he said. “We also pay tribute to the heroic deeds of the French troops whose courage at the Battle of the Marne and countless other battles. More than 1 million French soldiers laid down their lives in defense of liberty. Their sacrifice is an eternal tribute to France and to freedom.”
Without French help during the American Revolution, there would be no United States, and since 1777, French and American patriots have fought together, bled together and died together, Trump said. “Today, we face new threats from rogue regimes like North Korea, Iran and Syria, and the governments that finance and support them,” he said. “We also face grave threats from terrorist organizations that wage war on innocent lives.”
The American president noted that Bastille Day marks one year since a terrorist killed 86 people celebrating the holiday in Nice. He said the anniversary causes the nations “to renew our resolve to stand united against these enemies of humanity, and to strip them of their territory, their funding, their networks and ideological support,” he said.
‘Determined’ to Root Out Terrorism
“When it comes to fighting terrorism, from day one, I can say that we’ve seen eye-to-eye and we are strongly determined to take necessary measures in order to root out terrorism and to eradicate it,” Macron said through a translator.
The French president said the two leaders discussed a roadmap for Syria and Iraq post-ISIS, and discussed cooperation against ISIS in Libya. “Be it Libya or the Sahel, I think I can say that we have the same vision, very coherent understanding of the situation in the region, and the same willingness to act very clearly against any form of terrorism and destabilization,” he said.
Macron noted the United States is extremely involved in the fight against ISIS in Iraq, and thanked Trump for all that has been accomplished there. “I would like him to know that I am fully determined to act together with him in this respect — fully determined,” the French president said.
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