German Chancellor Angela Merkel Visits Trump to Talk Trade, Defense

German Chancellor Angela Merkel came to Washington today with a delegation of German business leaders for her first official state visit with President Donald Trump. Discussions focused on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), trade, and immigration.

At a press conference following their morning meeting, President Trump praised Germany’s commitment to expanding defence and expressed a strong U.S. commitment to NATO as long as other member nations "pay what they owe." This seemed based on a misunderstanding that member nations must commit 2 percent of their GDP to NATO, but that is not the case. Germany is one of many member nations that haven’t historically achieved the goal of a committing 2 percent of their GDP to defense as a whole, including their contribution to NATO. Chancellor Merkel stated that Germany needs to increase their expenditures to defense, however, and committed to the 2 percent goal until 2024.

Both President Trump and Chancellor Merkel discussed apprenticeship and job training for youth and adults whose jobs have been made obsolete as a part of the trade relationship and a place where the two countries could work together successfully. The president stated repeatedly that his goal in trade agreements was "fairness," and that the U.S. had been treated “very unfairly” in trade agreements in the past.

Chancellor Merkel spoke on trade as the leader of Germany, a member of the European Union and also the head of the G20, an international forum for the governments and central bank governors from 20 major economies focused on furthering globalization. She noted the next G20 summit is in Germany and she was looking forward to hosting President Trump there. She also stated that the goal of trade agreements is that "both sides win" and that she was hopeful negotiations regarding the U.S.-European pact called the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) would continue. The TTIP negotiations were initiated by the Obama administration, but have recently been slowed down as a result of President Trump’s opposition to multilateral trade agreements.

On immigration the two leaders have starkly opposing views. President Trump stated that immigration is a "privilege, not a right" and that “we must protect our people”. Germany has welcomed in scores of refugees, particularly from Syria, in the last two years. Chancellor Merkel emphasized her belief that nations must work “with refugees” to offer them opportunities.

The leaders were expected to have more discussions around trade and other issues over lunch and in the afternoon. Despite the anticipation of disagreements between the two leaders, the visit appears to be cordial, at the very least. What may or may not come in the relationship between the two world powers is yet to be seen.

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-- Asha Sanaker

(Photo Credit: World Economic Forum / Creative Commmons)