Christophe Archambault (Associated Press)
Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron during Trump's visit to Paris.
- Reports Wednesday suggest Emmanuel Macron has been asked to make the first state visit of Donald Trump's presidency.
- Trump visited Paris in 2017, and was taken with its grand military parade.
- The two have a remarkably warm relationship given their differences.
Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron's relationship looks set to get even closer, with reports indicating that the French president will be the first world leader to make a full state visit to Washington, DC.
According to the AFP news agency, Macron plans to visit the US capital in late April, and will be the first foreign leader to be given the full pomp of a state occasion, which includes a meal in the White House's State Dining Room.
Similar reports, apparently originating from the White House, were made a few weeks ago.
Other leaders, including British Prime Minister Theresa May and Chinese President Xi Jinping have visited before, but their trips were not given the full state visit status.
Last summer Trump visited Paris around Bastille Day, and was given a lavish welcome, devoid of major protests.
The two presidents and their wives emptied the Eiffel Tower for an evening and had a lobster dinner looking over Paris.
Trump was also a guest of honour at the Bastille Day military parade, which reportedly inspired him to pursue a similar display in Washington, DC involving US armed forces.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
The Trumps and Macrons at dinner inside the Eiffel Tower.
Gonzalo Fuentes (Reuters)
French jets participate in the 2017 Bastille Day parade.
The apparently warm relations between Trump and Macron is a contrast to the strained relationship between Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May.
May was the first world leader to visit Trump after his inauguration, but images of the two holding hands just before Trump embarked on his controversial travel ban were political kryptonite in Britain.
An invitation from Queen Elizabeth for Trump to make a state visit to Britain was accepted, but has been repeatedly delayed, while British activists have prepared large-scale street protests for when the final date is set.
Trump and Macron differ on policy significantly, including their stance on the European Union, the Iran deal, and US participation in the Paris climate change agreement.
Their initial meeting appeared tense, and was domianted by an awkward, combative, white-knuckle handshake. But since then the men seem to have got on fine, with the reported state visit seeming to be further evidence.
U.K. officials offer explanation for why Theresa May and Donald Trump were seen holding hands: https://t.co/7R87X7JQe0 pic.twitter.com/uYLTQBt2rS
- Women in the World (@WomenintheWorld) January 31, 2017