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Tree planted to mark Trump-Macron friendship dies – reports | Tree planted to mark Trump-Macron friendship dies – reports |
(32 minutes later) | |
The tree planted by Donald Trump and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, at the White House as a symbol of their countries’ ties has died, according to multiple media reports in France. | The tree planted by Donald Trump and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, at the White House as a symbol of their countries’ ties has died, according to multiple media reports in France. |
The oak was given as a gift to the US president during Macron’s visit in 2018. In a tweet at the time, Macron said: “100 years ago, American soldiers fought in France, in Belleau to defend our freedom. This oak tree (my gift to @realDonaldTrump]) will be a reminder at the White House of these ties that bind us.” | |
Relations between the two leaders have since frayed – over issues ranging from Iran to trade – and, it appears, the tree has fared little better. | Relations between the two leaders have since frayed – over issues ranging from Iran to trade – and, it appears, the tree has fared little better. |
Tree planted at White House by Trump and Macron appears to have vanished | Tree planted at White House by Trump and Macron appears to have vanished |
Le Monde first reported its demise last week, quoting a French diplomatic source, which was later confirmed by Le Figaro. | Le Monde first reported its demise last week, quoting a French diplomatic source, which was later confirmed by Le Figaro. |
The French president offered the young oak to Trump on the occasion of a state visit to Washington in 2018, and the two shovelled dirt around it under the watchful eyes of Melania Trump, Brigitte Macron and cameras from around the world. | The French president offered the young oak to Trump on the occasion of a state visit to Washington in 2018, and the two shovelled dirt around it under the watchful eyes of Melania Trump, Brigitte Macron and cameras from around the world. |
It was a symbolic gesture: the tree came from Belleau Wood, north-east of Paris, where 1,811 Americans died in a ferocious battle in June 1918 during the first world war. | It was a symbolic gesture: the tree came from Belleau Wood, north-east of Paris, where 1,811 Americans died in a ferocious battle in June 1918 during the first world war. |
But a few days later, the tree was nowhere to be seen, having disappeared into quarantine. Images showed only a yellow patch of grass in the spot on the White House South Lawn where the tree was planted. | But a few days later, the tree was nowhere to be seen, having disappeared into quarantine. Images showed only a yellow patch of grass in the spot on the White House South Lawn where the tree was planted. |
“It is a quarantine which is mandatory for any living organism imported into the US,” Gerard Araud, who was then the French ambassador to the US, wrote on Twitter, adding that it would be replanted later. | “It is a quarantine which is mandatory for any living organism imported into the US,” Gerard Araud, who was then the French ambassador to the US, wrote on Twitter, adding that it would be replanted later. |
But it was never replanted: the tree died during quarantine, a diplomatic source told Agence France-Presse. | But it was never replanted: the tree died during quarantine, a diplomatic source told Agence France-Presse. |
Donald Trump | Donald Trump |
Emmanuel Macron | Emmanuel Macron |
France | France |
Trees and forests | Trees and forests |
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