WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on the state visit by President Emmanuel Macron of France (all times local):
6 p.m.
President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron have ceremonially planted a tree together on the South Lawn of the White House as they kick off the first state visit of the Trump presidency.
Holding brass shovels, the two leaders threw dirt onto the newly installed tree, a European Sessile Oak from Belleau Woods, where thousands of U.S. Marines died in a 1918 battle during World War I.
Trump told reporters on Monday that France is “a very special country,” adding, “I love the tree.”
Trump, Macron and their wives are taking Marine One from the White House to George Washington’s Mount Vernon for a private dinner Monday ahead of a formal day of business events Tuesday.
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5:35 p.m.
French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived at the White House at the start of his meetings with President Donald Trump.
Macron and his wife, Brigitte, were embraced by the president and first lady Melania Trump when their car pulled into the West Wing driveway Monday. The handshakes and pleasantries kicked off Macron’s state visit to Washington with Trump.
The Macrons took an unscheduled walk along Pennsylvania Avenue earlier in the day.
The two planned to present the Trumps with a tree on the South Lawn of the White House and then were flying aboard Marine One for dinner at Mount Vernon, George Washington’s historic riverside home.
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2:40 p.m.
French President Emmanuel Macron is taking a stroll around the White House before he is set to kick off his state visit to Washington with President Donald Trump Monday evening.
Macron says in a Monday afternoon tweet: “Before our first work meetings, let’s have a walk on Washington’s streets.”
Moments earlier, Secret Service officers and agents rushed to keep up with his entourage as Macron departed Blair House for an unscheduled walk, greeting well-wishers along Pennsylvania Avenue. Macron is joined by his wife, Brigitte Macron, on the walk.
The Macrons are being received by Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the White House later Monday, before flying aboard Marine One for dinner at Mount Vernon. Following business meetings Tuesday morning, Macron will be the guest of honor at the Trump’s first State Dinner Tuesday evening at the White House.
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1:55 p.m.
President Emmanuel Macron of France has arrived on a state visit to the United States. It’s the first such visit of President Donald Trump’s administration.
Macron said after his plane landed Monday at a U.S. military base near Washington that he and Trump will discuss issues important to their countries.
Macron calls the visit a “great honor.” It’s his first trip to Washington since his election last year.
Trump and first lady Melania Trump are taking Macron and his wife, Brigitte, to dinner Monday at Mount Vernon, George Washington’s home along the Potomac River.
On Tuesday at the White House, Macron will be treated to a military arrival ceremony, Oval Office time with Trump, a joint news conference and a glitzy state dinner with nearly 150 guests.
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12:05 p.m.
Melania Trump is serving rack of lamb and nectarine tart at Tuesday’s White House state dinner for President Emmanuel Macron of France.
It’s the first state dinner of President Donald Trump’s administration.
The first lady also chose the Washington National Opera to entertain the approximately 150 guests after dinner.
Mrs. Trump’s office on Monday released details of the affair being planned to dazzle Macron and his wife, Brigitte. House Speaker Paul Ryan, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards are among those who have said they are attending.
The first lady has saved a few choice details for the last minute. They include the full guest list and what she’s wearing.
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