Trump in Paris to improve ties

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday hinted a possible change in his position over the Paris climate accord from which he withdrew weeks ago.

"Something could happen with respect to the Paris accord, let's see what happens," said Trump.

"We will talk about that over the coming period of time and if it happens, that will be wonderful, and if it doesn't, that'll be okay too," he added.

At a joint press meeting with his visiting American counterpart, French President Emmanuel Macron said "on climate, we know our disagreements. I respect the decision of President Trump, but I remain attached to the Paris Agreement."

Speaking about the disagreements, Macron said, "we have expressed them and shared them several times and I think it is important to be able to continue to see how to move forward on this subject."

"Does this have to hamper, prevent the discussions we have on all the other subjects? Definitely not, in no case," Macron said.

This afternoon, at a joint press meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the French president expressed his surprise following mounting criticism over Donald Trump's participation in the Bastille Day parade on July 14, saying Washington remained Paris's "strategic ally," despite "strong disagreement" over climate change.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Paris on Thursday morning in a diplomatic move to soften divergence with France over climate change and trade liberalization by seeking common ground on security and fight against terrorism.

On the agenda, Trump met with American embassy staff where he is scheduled to have lunch with military officials. Later in the afternoon, he will join Macron at Les Invalides military museum before holding talks on war in Syria and ways to better coordinate efforts to combat terrorism.

Macron, who denounced Washington decision to withdraw from Paris climate accord, will seek to press Trump to do more for deteriorating climate change, a source close to the Elysee was quoted as saying by local media.

Speaking to regional newspaper Ouest France, French head of state said "both countries have an essential point of convergence: the fight against terrorism and protecting our vital interests in the Middle East and in Africa."

"We need the United States of America. That's why I invited Donald Trump... to pay tribute and celebrate a relationship which is unavoidable in the security field," he added.

Trump will end the first day of his first visit to France at a prestigious restaurant later in the evening in the second floor of the landmark Eiffel tower that offers a pristine panoramic view of the French capital.

That was a move widely seen as a response to Trump's earlier remarks, saying that "France is no longer France", following a series of terrorist attacks and alarming number of refugees.

Macron and Trump will attend on Friday Bastille Day parade which commemorates the entry 100 years ago of the American troops into World War I.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday expressed his surprise following mounting criticism over participation of his American counterpart Donald Trump at Bastille Day military parade.

Washington remains as Paris "strategic ally", despite of "strong disagreement" over climate change, Macron told reporters.

"I invited President Donald Trump and I'm surprised that it has triggered all that debate and protests... because of the 100th anniversary of U.S. troop's intervention in World War I alongside our forces. We must not forget that our history goes beyond us," Macron said.

"One needs to continue dialogue even with disagreement. I'm in strong conflict with President Trump over climate issue ... But, it's evident and essential to have regular exchanges (with him)," he added.

At a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Macron stressed that Washington remained "a strategic partner of France and Europe", mainly in security issue.

At Macron's invitation, Trump arrived in Paris on Thursday morning for a two-day visit, weeks after U.S. withdrawal from Paris climate accord.