US President Donald Trump paused during comments to reporters alongside French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday to brush what he described as a piece of dandruff off his counterpart's shoulder, remarking that Macron needed to look "perfect."

As the two leaders stood for a photo opportunity , Donald Trump said he and Emmanuel Macron had 'a very special relationship' .

While the French president has tried to develop a close relationship with Trump since taking office last May, he has so far seen few tangible results on issues from Iran's nuclear deal to climate politics.