US president Donald Trump has lauded Emmanuel Macron and wife Brigitte, in a statement that was unusually warm and personal at the end of the French leader's state visit on Thursday.
Following Mr Macron's address to the US Congress , the White House said Mr Trump had spoken to the young French leader by telephone.
"President Macron thanked the president and the First Lady for the wonderful state visit, the first of the Trump presidency. President Trump emphasised his deep affection for president and Mrs Macron and thanked them for being his and Mrs Trump's cherished guests," the statement said.
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Mr Macron dazzled his audience on Wednesday in an ovation-earning rare address for a foreign leader to Congress, where he pleaded for America to maintain its global outlook.
Despite the budding friendship between the French leader and Mr Trump, including hand-holding and cheek-kissing, Mr Macron's speech delivered a rebuke to the isolationist and nationalist agenda that Mr Trump ran on during his election campaign.
"We can choose isolationism, withdrawal and nationalism... but that will only inflame the fears of our citizens... anger and fear don't build anything, it weakens us," Mr Macron said.
The one-hour address concluded with chants of "vive la France" and was attended by members of Congress, while his "good friend" Mr Trump watched from the White House.
[ Pictures: The Trumps and the Macrons ]
US President Donald Trump (2-L) and First Lady Melania Trump (L) walk with French President Emmanuel Macron (R) and his wife Brigitte Macron (2-R) walk from the Oval Office to a tree planting ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, on April 23, 2018. Shawn Thew / EPA
French President Emmanuel Macron stands with US President Donald Trump and US first lady Melania Trump at Mount Vernon, the estate of the first US President George Washington, in Mount Vernon, Virginia, on April 23, 2018. Ludovic Marin / AFP
A place setting for the State Dinner for French President Emmanuel Macron is shown in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, US, April 23, 2018. Joshua Roberts / Reuters
Cherry blossom flowers decorate the Cross Hall for the State Dinner for France's President Emmanuel Macron at the White House in Washington, US, April 23, 2018. Joshua Roberts / Reuters
US President Donald Trump (L), with First Lady Melania Trump (C) shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron (R) during a tree planting ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, on April 23, 2018. Shawn Thew / EPA
US President Donald Trump, centre, walks into the Mansion at the Mount Vernon estate of first US President George Washington with US First Lady Melania Trump, left, Emmanuel Macron, France's president, centre right, and Brigitte Macron, France's first lady, yellow, in Mount Vernon, Virginia, US, on Monday, April 23, 2018. Andrew Harrer / Bloomberg
Marine One, carrying US President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron, prepares to land on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, US, on April 23, 2018. Joshua Roberts / Reuters
French First Lady Brigitte Macron, French President Emmanuel Macron, US President Donald J Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump stand for photographers in front of Marine One after a dinner at the Mount Vernon estate of first US President George Washington in Mount Vernon, Virginia, USA, on April 23, 2018. Andrew Harrer / EPA
US President Donald Trump waves after stepping out of a golf cart following a dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron (not pictured) at the Mount Vernon estate of first US President George Washington in Mount Vernon, Virginia, USA, on April 23, 2018. President Macron will be in Washington DC for three days for a state visit at the White House and an address to a joint session of Congress on 25 April. Andrew Harrer / EPA
A view of the mansion at the Mount Vernon estate of first US President George Washington during a dinner between US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron in Mount Vernon, Virginia, USA, on April 23, 2018. Andrew Harrer / EPA
US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron walk to pose for a picture on a visit to the estate of the first US President George Washington in Mount Vernon, Virginia outside Washington, US, on April 23, 2018. Jonathan Ernst / Reuters
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump stand with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron following a dinner at Mount Vernon, the estate of the first US President George Washington, in Mount Vernon, Virginia, April 23, 2018. Ludovic Marin / AFP
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump stand with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron following a dinner at Mount Vernon, the estate of the first US President George Washington, in Mount Vernon, Virginia, April 23, 2018. Ludovic Marin / AFP
US President Donald Trump (L) confers with French President Emmanuel Macron (R) following a dinner at Mount Vernon, the estate of the first US President George Washington, in Mount Vernon, Virginia, April 23, 2018. Ludovic Marin / AFP
Cherry blossom flowers decorate the Cross Hall for the State Dinner for France's President Emmanuel Macron at the White House in Washington, US, April 23, 2018. Joshua Roberts / Reuters
Tables for the State Dinner for French President Emmanuel Macron are shown in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, US, April 23, 2018. Joshua Roberts / Reuters
Tables for the State Dinner for French President Emmanuel Macron are shown from the Cross Hall of the White House in Washington, US, on April 23, 2018. Joshua Roberts / Reuters
Tables for the State Dinner for French President Emmanuel Macron are shown in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, US, April 23, 2018. Joshua Roberts / Reuters
Updated: April 26, 2018, 7:31 AM