Trump welcomes France's Macron to White House

US President Donald Trump treated French President Emmanuel Macron to a colorful welcome ceremony at the White House on Tuesday (April 24) during a state visit that threatened to expose differences on Iran, trade and Syria between two close allies.

The two leaders were then to launch into a morning of talks expected to include how to salvage the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which Trump wants to withdraw the United States from unless European powers strengthen its terms.

Trump, in welcoming remarks, thanked France for joining with the United States and Britain in launching airstrikes in Syria earlier this month in response to a chemical weapons attack blamed on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Macron, in his remarks, called for the two countries to work together against Islamist militants, on North Korea and Iran, on "free and fair trade," and on climate change.

"It is together that we will counter the proliferation in weapons of mass destruction, whether it is in North Korea or in Iran," Macron said.

In the evening, the Trumps are to host the Macrons at the first state dinner conducted by Trump since he took power.