Trump, Macron look past differences on Paris climate pact

PARIS -- President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron set aside lingering differences on climate change during their meeting Thursday in France, asserting it shouldn't prevent them from working together toward a post-war roadmap for Syria and to enhance Mideast security.

Trump, standing alongside Macron at a news conference, said the two nations have "occasional disagreements," but that would not disrupt a friendship that dates back to the American Revolution.

He remained non-committal about the United States eventually rejoining the global climate agreement that bears Paris' name, telling Macron, "if it happens, that will be wonderful, and if it doesn't, that will be OK, too."

Macron acknowledged sharp differences on the Paris climate pact but said the two leaders could find other areas of cooperation.

"Should that have an impact on the discussions we're having on all other topics? No, absolutely not," he said.

Trump arrived in the French capital Thursday for a whirlwind, 36-hour visit to meet with Macron and tackle potential solutions to the crisis in Syria and discuss broader counterterrorism strategies before being feted today at Bastille Day celebrations.

Topics such as resolving the years-long civil war in Syria and countering terrorism gave Trump and Macron areas to cooperate.

The two said they also discussed the security situations in Ukraine and Libya.

Trump praised a cease-fire in southern Syria he helped broker last week with Russia and Jordan and said the U.S. was working on a second cease-fire in a "rough part of Syria."

Macron said he discussed with Trump a road map for the country that would help stabilize the situation after the war ends. He has argued for intervention in Syria, saying President Bashar Assad is a threat to the war-ravaged country, and the Islamic State group is a threat to France.