Merkel-Trump first meet speaks volume

It was their first face-to-face meeting at the White House. And they were not goody-goody about each other. US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel tried utmost to sidestep the issues that could be a spoiler in their first public appearance.
Their inability to shake hands in the Oval Office spoke volume about the meet. During presidential campaign, Trump frequently targeted Merkel’s refugee policy and accused the chancellor of ruining Germany for allowing an influx of refugees and other migrants from Syria. At the meeting, Trump pushed back against the notion in Europe that his “America First” agenda means he’s an isolationist. Merkel, a seasoned politician, maintained her composure even when Trump repeated his contention that former President Barack Obama may have tapped his phones in Trump Tower and also referred to 2013 reports that the US was monitoring the Chancellor’s cellphone conversations.
On her part, Merkel deployed a conciliatory approach on economic issues. The Chancellor said as she represents German interests, Trump stands up for American interests. She emphasized the need for trade deals that fairly benefit both countries. The German leader said there was a need for both countries to be fair to each other. She further added that both countries were expecting “that something good comes out of it for their own people.” Although Trump has been deeply critical of foreign trade and national security agreements, he said the US would do ‘fantastically well’ in its trade relations with Germany.
The meetings included discussions on strengthening NATO, fighting the IS group, the conflict in Afghanistan and resolving Ukraine’s conflict, all matters that require close cooperation between the US and Germany. Trump reaffirmed the US support for NATO but reiterated his stance that NATO allies need to “pay their fair share” for the cost of defense.
The two leaders tried to express their common bonds but showed minimal rapport in their first encounter, a marked deviation from Obama and Merkel warm relations during former’s 8-year tenure in the White House. Merkel and Trump embody traits that are starkly different. The two leaders are deeply divided on policy and personality. He is just two-month old president of United States; she has seen three US presidents during her more than 10 years of chancellorship. She has plenty of experience. He was a political novice. She’s the most important European leader. She wants to make EU more and more stable and wants to maintain NATO. Contrary to that, Trump supports Brexit and is questioning traditional support for NATO. Also, the two leaders have very different take on Russia. The veteran German leader is the champion of open-border politics in contrast to Trump’s nationalistic rhetoric.
Given these differences, the summit was trickiest for both leaders as they struggled to find a common ground. The meeting was a test of Trump’s European policy vision as Merkel not only represents Europe’s biggest economy, but has emerged as the most visible advocate of the post-World War II international order. And their frosty meet has already done the damage. Despite their fundamental differences, both Merkel and Trump need to walk extra mile to work together.