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Mr Macron, 39, asked Mr Trump and his wife, first lady Melania, to attend the annual military parade on the Champs-Elysées avenue and mark 100 years since the US intervened in World War I. He told reporters: “I invited President Trump and I was surprised to learn that my decision had sparked a national debate and a spate of protests because we are commemorating 100 years since America entered into World War I to fight alongside the French.

GETTY President Macron has defended Trump's visit to Paris ahead of Bastille day

“We should never forget that our history surpasses us, that the life of our country surpasses us. Our ups and downs and the moments we live through should not make us forget that. “I invited the President to consolidate the existing ties between our two countries and his troops will march alongside ours on July 14.”

GETTY Mr Macron claimed he was “surprised” by the public’s negative reaction

I invited President Trump and I was surprised to learn that my decision had sparked a national debate and a spate of protests Emmanuel Macron, President of France

France’s government spokesman Christophe Castaner also weighed in on the controversy, saying that the uproar over Mr Trump’s visit had been blown out of proportion. Mr Castaner told the news channel BFM TV and radio RMC on Thursday: “The fake outrage expressed by some over Mr Trump’s visit is uncalled for. The backlash is undeserved… That we are able to honour US troops in the presence of their leader is a good thing.

GETTY Mr Trump and Melania arrived in Paris yesterday to attend France’s Bastille Day celebrations today

Bastille Day 2017 in pictures Fri, July 14, 2017 The 14th of July is an important date in the French calendar but this year the world will be watching as Donald Trump joins French President Emmanuel Macron for the celebrations Play slideshow REUTERS 1 of 24 French President Emmanuel Macron, his wife Brigitte Macron, US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump walk on the Place de la Concorde at the end of the traditional Bastille Day military parade in Paris