INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
emphasized pomp and ceremony on Monday as Macron began a state visit to Washington likely to be dominated by differences with the United
States over trade and the nuclear accord with Iran.As Macron headed to the United States, the Iranian government urged European leaders to
convince Trump not to tear up the 2015 deal between Tehran and six world powers.The French president said on Sunday there was no "Plan B"
for keeping a lid on Tehran's nuclear ambitions.He is on something of a rescue mission for what is formally known as the Joint
Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which Trump has said he would scrap unless European allies fix by mid-May what he calls "terrible
flaws.""This visit is very important in our current context, with so many uncertainties, troubles and at times threats," Macron said in
French remarks as he arrived in Washington.Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called on European leaders to support the
agreement."It is either all or nothing
European leaders should encourage Trump not just to stay in the nuclear deal, but more important to begin implementing his part of the
bargain in good faith," Zarif wrote on Twitter.The deal reached between six powers - all of whom but Germany are nuclear-armed - and Tehran
put curbs on Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.Minutes after Macron touched down in the United States, the White
Mount Vernon (Reuters)"The president has been extremely clear that he thinks it's a bad deal
That certainly has not changed," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.Macron said on "Fox News Sunday" it would be better to protect
the deal instead of getting rid of it
"Is this agreement perfect and this JCPOA a perfect thing for our relationship with Iran No
But for nuclear, what do you have as a better option I don't see it," he said.Charm offensiveMacron's visit is the first time Trump has
hosted a state visit since he took power in January 2017
While the French leader has tried to develop a close relationship with Trump since he took office last May, he has so far seen few tangible
results on issues from Iran to climate politics.Macron and his wife, Brigitte, shortly after their arrival at the Blair House residence,
took quickly to the streets of Washington, walking past the White House complex to the Lincoln Memorial and greeting tourists.Macron brought
with him an oak tree sapling for planting on the South Lawn of the White House
The tree came from the Belleau Woods, site of a World War One battle in 1918 where 9,000 Americans died
Trump and Macron shovelled dirt on the freshly planted tree as the cameras clicked
"France is a very special country," said Trump
"It's a great honour."Trump and his wife, Melania, and the Macrons then flew aboard Trump's Marine One helicopter to dine at Mount
Vernon, the Virginia home of George Washington, the first United States president and Revolutionary War commander whose alliance with
France was critical to victory over the British.The Trumps and Macrons spent about two hours at Mount Vernon
"We had a great dinner," President Trump told reporters as they boarded the helicopter for the return trip to the White House.Working
meetings will be held at the White House on Tuesday before Macron addresses the United States Congress the following day, the anniversary
of the day French General Charles de Gaulle addressed a joint session of Congress in 1960.Trump and Macron began their friendship a year ago
in Belgium with a jaw-clenching handshake
While some other European leaders have kept a distance from Trump, Macron has worked hard to remain close to the United States president
The two leaders speak frequently by phone.Trade talksIran has long maintained that its nuclear programme was for peaceful purposes.Macron
also wants to persuade Trump to exempt European nations from metal tariffs that are part of the United States president's plan to reduce
chronic trade deficits with countries around the world, chiefly China.His visit comes at a time of mounting alarm in Europe over the effect
that United States sanctions on Russia will have on their own manufacturing industries.French officials said Paris and other European
governments were coordinating efforts to persuade Trump to ease sanctions on Russia, including measures against Russian aluminium
producers."There are concerns raised by the extraterritoriality effects of the new sets of sanctions," a French finance ministry source said
"Europeans have jointly warned the United States administration about the economic impact and consequences and the need to find
solutions."The official said France, Germany, Italy and Ireland were working together on the matter
German Chancellor Angela Merkel will hold talks with Trump in Washington later in the week.Macron and Trump are also due to discuss Syria
less than two weeks after the United States, France and Britain launched air strikes there in retaliation for a suspected chemical weapons
attack that killed dozens.Macron said last week he believed he had persuaded Trump to keep United States troops in Syria, though Trump has
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