Newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron has chosen pragmatism as a way to overcome divergences with the US administration, reports CNBC.
France President Emmanuel Macron told reporters he had a "very frank" discussion with US President Donald Trump, following a meeting at the US embassy in Brussels.
"We discussed all subjects with President Trump. We had a long discussion, which was very frank," Macron told reporters in Brussels.
"In the center of the discussion was pragamtism. We don't necessarily interpret things in the same way, but we were able to speak very frankly," he added.
The two leaders, who had a somewhat quick handshake at the start of their meeting, discussed issues such as terrorism and climate change. Macron told reporters that it was important that the US would not take a "hasty decision" and withdraw their support for the Paris Climate agreement, which aims to reduce greenhouse gases emissions.
When asked about President Trump's personality, Macron said: "It's not for me to make any physiologic comments. I met an effective and open partner."
President Macron has asked Europe to be more ambitious and think long-term.
Shortly after his meeting with Trump, Macron was also received by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.