By Canadian Press

Trump, first lady to host state dinner in April for Spain

Feb 11, 2020 | 11:33 AM

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump will host the administration’s third state dinner in April, for King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, the White House announced Tuesday.

The fancy, black-tie dinner — a diplomatic tool often reserved for America’s staunchest allies — is part of a state visit scheduled for April 21 to celebrate close ties between the two countries, press secretary Stephanie Grisham said.

“The visit will celebrate our two countries’ close friendship and shared history, and reaffirm our commitments to stand together to address today’s global challenges,” Grisham said in a statement.

King Felipe and Trump met in the Oval Office in June 2018 during a royal tour of the U.S. to mark the 300th anniversaries of the founding of New Orleans and San Antonio, cities with historical ties to Spain.

Trump, at the time, praised the “outstanding” relationship between the U.S. and Spain and cited excellent co-operation between them on trade and military defence.

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“Just about everything you can have,” Trump said. “So we love Spain.”

The administration’s previous state dinners were for France in April 2018 and for Australia in September 2019.

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Darlene Superville, The Associated Press