Salma Hayek, Pharrell Williams and John McEnroe top the guest list in Paris at a state dinner for the Bidens as US and French leaders celebrate their ‘first friend’ relationship

President Joe Biden was celebrated by its French counterpart on Saturday evening with a formal state dinner in Paris to celebrate relations between France and the United States.

Singer Pharrell Williamsactors Salma Hayek and Léa Seydoux, tennis great John McEnroe, in town for the French Openwere all on the guest list, along with political heavyweights and fashion industry titans.

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy came with his wife Carla Bruni.

They were there as guests of President Emmanuel Macron and first lady Brigitte Macronwho expressed a favor for their state visit to Washington in 2022.

US lawmakers were well represented with the former Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and a Congress delegation that had been in France for D-Day commemorations.

The Macrons greet the Bidens on the red carpet ahead of their state dinner on Saturday

The two leaders previously discussed the approach China, as well as conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. And while there are tensions over trade, the two were keen to highlight areas of agreement.

Biden said France was America’s “first friend” at its founding and remained one of its closest allies more than two centuries later.

They said the two countries will work to limit tensions over Israel’s war against the militant group Hamas.

“We are redoubling our efforts to prevent a regional explosion, especially in Lebanon,” Macron said.

Both men welcomed the rescue by Israeli forces of four hostages held by Hamas since October. “We will not stop working until all the hostages come home and a ceasefire is reached,” Biden said.

Earlier, Macron and his wife welcomed Biden and the first lady Jill Biden during a beautiful ceremony in the Arc de Triomphe. The two leaders stood shoulder to shoulder under a fluttering French tricolor to honor the country’s war dead.

“Proud to be here,” Biden said. ‘A great honor.’

It is an opportunity for France to give something back after Biden hosted Macron for a state visit to the US White House in 2022. And the French media have paid a lot of attention to the fact that their guest is in the country for five days, in honor of the D-Day anniversary.

‘France is… our oldest and one of our deepest allies. And this will be an important moment to reaffirm that alliance and also look to the future and what we need to achieve together,” US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters.

The two first ladies shared a special moment as the Bidens arrived on the red carpet

Singer Pharrell Williams arrives for the event at the Elysee Palace

Salma Hayek and Francois-Henri Pinault, CEO of luxury group Kering, arrive for the state dinner

Tennis legend and commentator John McEnroe arrives with his wife Patty Smyth

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived with his wife Carla Bruni

They had to discuss Russia‘s war with Ukraine, into crisis Gazalike climate change, artificial intelligence and supply chains, he said.

They were also expected to announce plans to cooperate in the Indo-Pacific on port security and maritime law enforcement.

Biden and his officials have repeatedly pointed out that France is the U.S.’s oldest ally and is sending troops to fight in the Revolutionary War against Britain.

“It’s probably good for us to remember that we didn’t gain our independence either without some foreign assistance or foreign assistance, particularly from France,” White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Friday.

President Emanuel Macron will receive the Bidens at a state dinner on Saturday evening

Macron and Biden pictured during their working lunch at the Elysee Palace, Paris

President Emmanuel Macron greets President Joe Biden on Saturday before his state visit in Paris, with first ladies Brigitte Macron and Jill Biden

Yet that relationship brings tensions. Macron has repeatedly pressured Biden to go further in his support for Ukraine, even suggesting he would send French troops to train Ukrainian forces in a move the US president fears would only escalate Russian aggression.

And like other European leaders, Macron has been much more critical of this Israel in his warfare in Gaza than Biden.

All this is accompanied by a large dose of Gallic outrage at any hint of American cultural imperialism, coupled with American annoyance at French sensitivities.

And then there is possibly the thorniest issue of all: trade.

The two presidents laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a ceremony at the Arc du Triumphe to mark the start of the state visit

The Bidens arrive in the Beast. Jill Biden flew back to Paris to be by her husband’s side

The French Republican Guard stands in front of the Arc de Triomphe before a welcome ceremony with the French president and the US president in Paris

Biden arrived in France on Wednesday, ahead of the 80th anniversary of D-Day. On Friday, he gave a speech at the World War II Pointe du Hoc Ranger Monument

Officials across Europe are outraged by Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act 2022. They see the subsidies for American-made products as an unfair, protectionist move that makes it harder for European companies to compete.

The issue threatened to overshadow Macron’s state visit to Washington in 2022 and embarrass his hosts.

During a meeting with US lawmakers, Marcon reportedly described it as a “super-aggressive” move against EU competitors.

There was no time for this during the official welcome ceremony. There was a military parade, a fly-over by French fighter jets and national anthems.

First lady Jill Biden stood by the president’s side after flying back to the US on a whirlwind visit to make sure she was with stepson Hunter as his trial on weapons charges continued.

Biden met French military veterans at the ceremony just after noon on Saturday

Later, Biden and Macron are expected to discuss the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine

While she was away, Biden spent Friday meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris, where he apologized for Congress’ months-long delay in approving tens of billions of dollars in military aid.

And then he flew to Normandy for a sensational speech, in which he connected the spirit of the American heroes of D-Day with today’s struggle for democracy.

“Does anyone doubt that they would want America to stand up against this? Putin“The aggression here in Europe today,” he said.

‘They stormed the beaches together with our allies. Does anyone believe the Rangers want America to go it alone today?”

It was the second visit to the landing beaches in as many days. On Thursday, he led tributes at the American Cemetery before joining other world leaders at an international ceremony.