Oncoming blizzard delays first meeting between Trump and German’s Merkel
WASHINGTON — Forecasts for a blizzard that could sock the Northeast and shut down Washington prompted the White House to delay German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit scheduled for Tuesday.
Merkel and President Donald Trump now are set to meet for the first time on Friday.
Even before the storm, there has been a chill between the two leaders. During last year’s campaign, Trump once said Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton wanted to become “America’s Angela Merkel, and you know what a disaster this massive immigration has been to Germany and the people of Germany.”
When Trump won in November, Merkel sent him a congratulatory note that lectured the new president on Germany and America’s “common values — democracy, freedom, as well as respect for the rule of law and the dignity of each and every person, regardless of their origin, skin color, creed, gender, sexual orientation or political views.
Trump and Merkel are expected to spar over trade issues and Germany’s contribution to NATO funding. But last week a senior administration official told reporters the president is “very interested” in getting pointers from Merkel on dealing with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
After their meeting, Trump and Merkel are expected to hold a joint press conference.
