The Latest: Trump warns Iran against restarting nuke program
By Associated Press
Apr 24, 2018 9:45 AM CDT
The State Dining Room at the White House is set for the first State Dinner that President Donald Trump will host as president with French President Emmanuel Macron in Washington, Monday, April 23, 2018. The State Dinner will be held on April 24. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)   (Associated Press)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on the White House visit of French President Emmanuel Macron (all times local):

10:40 a.m.

President Donald Trump is warning that if Iran restarts its nuclear program it "will have bigger problems than they have ever had before."

Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron will be discussing the Iran nuclear deal Tuesday during their meetings at the White House.

Macron wants Trump to maintain the deal. Trump is undecided but has called it "a terrible deal."

Though Trump has warmly welcomed Macron to Washington, the two have disagreements to sort through, including Trump's decision to leave the multinational Paris climate change agreement.

While with Macron, Trump refused to answer a reporter's question as to whether he is considering a pardon for his personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, whose office was raided by the FBI. Trump called it "a stupid question."

Cohen has not been charged.

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9:54 a.m.

French President Emmanuel Macron is highlighting the close ties between his nation and the United States during his visit to the White House.

Macron, standing alongside President Donald Trump Tuesday, said "America represents endless possibilities for my country."

He also told Trump that "France shares with your country an ideal of freedom and peace."

Macron touted how the French fought alongside George Washington during the American Revolution, which laid the blueprint for cooperation between the nations.

The French president, who enjoys a closer relationship with Trump than many of his European peers, said that France works alongside the U.S. on challenges like terrorism, North Korea and Iran.

He is expected to lobby Trump to maintain the Iran nuclear deal and reconsider the decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement.

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9:30 a.m.

President Donald Trump is sending prayers to the Bush family and wishing former President George H.W. Bush a "speedy recovery."

Trump is recognizing the former president as he greets French President Emmanuel Macron on the South Lawn of the White House.

Bush has been hospitalized in Houston with an infection, just days after attending the funeral of his wife, Barbara Bush.

Trump is also sending the nation's sympathies to the Canadian people following the "horrendous tragedy" in Toronto.

A driver plowed a rented van along a crowded sidewalk in Toronto, killing 10 people and injuring 15 others. Trump says the nation's hearts are with the grieving families in Canada.

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9:25 a.m.

President Donald Trump says the "wonderful friendship" he has developed with French President Emmanuel Macron is a testament to two nations' enduring alliance.

Trump is thanking Macron for his "steadfast partnership" in responding to the recent chemical attack in Syria.

The president is speaking at an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House.

Trump and Macron are meeting Tuesday on a number of issues, including the future of the Iran nuclear deal and the crisis in Syria.

The two leaders are holding a joint news conference later in the morning and then Macron will be honored with Trump's first state dinner.

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9 a.m.

President Donald Trump is welcoming French President Emmanuel Macron to the White House in a formal arrival ceremony.

The president and first lady are greeting Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, on rolled-out red carpet on the South Lawn.

The arrival is heavy on pomp, with nearly 500 U.S. service-members from all five military branches participating in the ceremonial welcome, which includes a "Review of the Troops."

Vice President Mike Pence and several members of Trump's Cabinet, lawmakers, and military families are in attendance. The audience includes students from the Maya Angelou French Immersion School in Temple Hills, Maryland.

The two leaders are spending the morning in meetings and then will hold a joint news conference. On Tuesday night, Macron will be feted at Trump's first state dinner.

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12:50 a.m.

A sit-down between President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron followed by a joint news conference highlight the business portion of the French leader's second day in Washington.

The pageantry of Macron's official state visit, the first of the Trump presidency, comes Tuesday night with a lavish state dinner at the White House. About 150 guests are expected to dine on rack of lamb and nectarine tart and enjoy an after-dinner performance by the Washington National Opera.

Monday night was more relaxed, featuring a helicopter tour of Washington landmarks and a trip to the Potomac River home of George Washington for dinner.

Pomp and ceremony aside, Trump and Macron disagree on some fundamental issues. A prime dividing point is the multinational Iran nuclear deal, which Trump wants to abandon.

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