This year’s military parade also commemorated the 100th anniversary of the United States’ entry into World War I.
PARIS — President Trump was guest of honor at the opulent Bastille Day celebrations in the French capital on Friday, as he wrapped up his first trip to the country as U. S. leader exactly a year after a deadly terror attack in the southern city of Nice killed 86 people and wounded hundreds.
This year’s ornate Bastille Day parade on the capital’s famous Champs-Élysées avenue included U. S. soldiers marching with their French counterparts to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the United States’ entry into World War I.
Dozens of military planes and helicopters flew over the Champs-Élysées as military bands played traditional French marching music. One band spelled out the word « NICE » in front of the leaders and also played a rendition of ‘Get Lucky, ‘ the 2013 hit by French electronic music duo Daft Punk.
« It was a great honor to represent the United States at the magnificent #BastilleDay parade. Congratulations President @EmmanuelMacron! » Trump tweeted.
There was heightened security around the Champs-Élysées and the nearby Place de la Concorde after the area was repeatedly targeted by Islamist extremists. Last month, an attacker died when he rammed his explosives-laden car into a police convoy on the avenue.
After the Paris parade, the U. S. motorcade headed to the airport for Air Force One’s departure. France’s 39-year-old president, Emmanuel Macron, will travel to Nice, where an Islamist terrorist plowed a truck into a crowd on the Promenade des Anglais after a Bastille Day fireworks display a year ago.
France’s interior ministry said more than 130,000 security personnel and emergency service workers will protect people around the country during the celebrations, a national holiday in France.
Trump, 71, arrived in Paris on Thursday amid colorful pageantry for a two-day visit, and held meetings with Macron, met with U. S. embassy staff and U. S. service members and dined at the Eiffel Tower.
“Great evening with President @EmmanuelMacron & Mrs. Macron. Went to Eiffel Tower for dinner. Relationship with France stronger than ever, ” Trump tweeted with a photo of the two leaders and their wives at the famous Paris landmark early Friday.
Trump pledged Thursday that the United States would work to protect the environment, despite withdrawing from the Paris Climate Change Agreement that was signed by nearly 200 nations.
« Our fates are tied together more so than ever, » Trump said at a news conference following a meeting with Macron, one of his harshest critics for backing out of the Paris accord on June 1.
Macron said while the leaders have a « number of disagreements » on the threat of global warming, he respected Trump’s decision to pull the U. S. out of the agreement.
Macron said Thursday that he and Trump would work on a « joint roadmap » to fight terrorism and post-war initiatives for Syria.
Trump also defended his son’s meeting with a Russian lawyer whom he believed had incriminating information on Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential election. « Most people would have taken that meeting, » Trump said.
« It’s called opposition research, » Trump added. « Politics is not the nicest business in the world. »
When asked about negative comments Trump previously made that « Paris no longer looks like Paris » in light of an influx of migrants and a spate of terrorist attacks, the U. S. president changed his tune.
« You have a tough president. I really have a feeling you will have a peaceful and beautiful Paris, » Trump said. « And I’m coming back. »
« You are always welcome, » Macron replied.
Still, not all were welcoming Trump in Paris. A few hundred protesters gathered Thursday at Place de la Republique to create « No Trump Zones. »
Maya Correas, 50, of Paris, said she is firmly against the U. S. leader’s policies, including pulling out of the Paris climate agreement.
« I don’t understand why an American president has to come here for what are essentially French celebrations, » she said.
Bastille Day marks the storming of the Bastille fortress that held political prisoners in 1789, which led to the French Revolution.
Still, some thought the invitation to Trump was a smart move on Macron’s part.
« I think on Macron’s part there was willingness to break with his predecessors, » said Eddy Fougier, a political scientist with the Paris-based French Institute of International and Strategic Affairs, referring to the shunning by previous French presidents of leaders they were deeply critical of.
« Macron’s pragmatism can explain the decision to invite Donald Trump. Macron thinks that by having a dialogue with Donald Trump he may be able to convince him, for example, about the Paris climate agreement or other topics, » Fougier said.
Contributing: David Jackson in Washington. Bhatti reported from Paris, Onyanga-Omara reported from London.
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