Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Friday, March 29th, 2024

Merkel Meets Unpredictable Trump Amid Tense Ties

Merkel Meets Unpredictable  Trump Amid Tense Ties

BERLIN - Europe's most powerful leader, Angela Merkel, meets for the first time next week America's flamboyant President Donald Trump whose arrival in the White House has sent shockwaves across the Atlantic.
While former US president Barack Obama had labelled Merkel his "closest international partner", there has been little known contact between the German leader and Trump since he took office.
Trump's criticism of Germany over issues ranging from its record trade surplus to Merkel's liberal refugee stance, as well as his backing for Britain to leave the European Union, have not gone unnoticed in Berlin.
A month after US Vice President Mike Pence delivered a message to Europe underscoring the importance of transatlantic ties, Tuesday's meeting will be scrutinised for clues on whether Trump fully endorses that message.
The reserved German leader herself underlined that she is travelling to Washington not only as Germany's leader, but also as an envoy of the EU. (AFP)