Macron, Trump discuss main int'l crises over phone talk: Elysee

PARIS, March 27 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday spoke over phone with his American counterpart Donald Trump about international crises including war in Syria, poisoning of Russian ex-spy in England and Washington's new imported steel and aluminum tariffs, Macron's office said.

Macron and Trump reiterated that the fight against the Islamic State's insurgents in Syria remained "their top priority," pledging that "nothing would divert the efforts of the international coalition and its allies," to uproot terrorism.

Speaking about the poisoning of former Russian intelligence agent in England with a "military-grade nerve agent", they hailed the world main powers' coordinated move to expel Russian diplomats in solidarity with Britain.

Condemning the use of chemical arms, they stressed that "such a threat to collective security and international law could not remain unanswered."

Despite the denial by Russia of any involvement in the poisoning incident in Britain, more than 20 Western countries have announced the expulsion of Russian diplomats.

Over the telephone conversation, Macron also told Trump that the "EU's steel and aluminum exports did not pose a threat to U.S. national security, and as such they should not be undermined by additional customs duties. "

He underlined the need to strengthen the rules of international trade to ensure fair competition. Enditem