Trump congratulates Macron on ‘tremendous victory’

by Rebecca Savransky - 05/25/17 9:44 AM ET

President Trump on Thursday congratulated Emmanuel Macron on his win earlier this month in France’s presidential election as the two leaders met in Brussels.

“It is my great honor to be with the newly elected president of France, who ran an incredible campaign and had a tremendous victory,” Trump said during brief remarks on Thursday.

“All over the world they’re talking about it. And we have a lot to discuss, including terrorism and other things. Congratulations. Great job.”

{mosads}Macron said in translated remarks that he was happy to be with Trump, noting the two have a lot to discuss, including the fight against terrorism and climate change.

Macron was sworn in as France’s president earlier this month at a ceremony in Paris. He became the country’s youngest elected leader at 39.

Macron defeated far-right candidate Marine Le Pen on May 7 with more than 60 percent of the vote.

In his victory speech, he vowed to protect the France, saying he wants to be a president of “all the people of France, for the patriots facing the threat of nationalism.”

Following Macron’s victory, Trump spoke with Macron to congratulate him and both leaders agreed to meet during the NATO leaders summit in Brussels.

Trump did not endorse a candidate in the French election but said that last month’s terror attack in Paris would “probably help” Le Pen because “she is the strongest on borders and she is the strongest on what’s been going on in France.”

Former President Barack Obama endorsed Macron ahead of the runoff election.

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