German Chancellor Angela Merkel wrapped up a brief visit to the US on Friday, meeting President Trump at the White House. But the two leaders failed to narrow their differences over issues that have driven the two nations apart, ever since Trump came to power in 2017. One of those key issues is the Iran nuclear deal. Trump has long voiced his goal to scrap the deal, while Merkel and other leaders have opposed the move, in order to avoid further uncertainty in the Middle East.

In sharp contrast with his "bromance" with French President Emmanuel Macron, U.S. President Donald Trump treated German Chancellor Angela Merkel with a reaffirmation of "America First" in terms of trade, the NATO defense budget, and the Iran nuclear deal.

Trump has lashed out at NATO members, Germany in particular, for failing to increase their national defense budget to 2 percent of their GDP. In response, Merkel said Germany will earmark 1.3 percent of its GDP for defense in 2019, noting the fact that there has been an increase over the past few years. Facing Trump's "America First" slogan, Merkel made a rare concession that "We in Europe have to take our fate into our own hands."

Trump was also dissatisfied with the 151-billion-U.S. dollar trade deficit with the EU, calling for "a fair and reciprocal trade relationship". The two sides didn't reach an agreement over Trump's threat to largely increase tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. Merkel said it is up to Trump to decide whether to exempt the EU from the tariffs before the May 1st deadline.

During the less than three hours at the White House, Merkel tried to convince Donald Trump to stay in the Iran nuclear deal. The U.S. President insists the agreement - signed under his predecessor, Barack Obama - is a bad deal. 

DONALD TRUMP US PRESIDENT "The Iranian regime fuels violence, bloodshed and chaos, all across the Middle East. We must ensure that this murderous regime does not even get close to a nuclear weapon. And that Iran ends its proliferation of dangerous missiles and its support for terrorism."

ANGELA MERKEL GERMAN CHANCELLOR "We are of the opinion the agreement with Iran is a first step that has contributed to slowing down their nuclear activities. It's also established a better verification and monitoring process." 

Trump said he might pull out of the deal next month, when he's required - again - to certify Iranian compliance, a move that would surely anger many.

Despite the smiles and friendly gestures, Merkel's tough-talk and straight-to-business approach with Trump didn't help her seal the deal on divisive issues broached by Emmanuel Macron. It still leaves question marks on whether Macron's "bromance" or Merkel's "romance" will bring the allies closer or push them further apart.