Trump praises Merkel but gives little ground on issues

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Europe

US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel appeared to make little headway on high-stakes trade and security disagreements Friday, but avoided the public bickering that has plagued their year-old relationship.

Merkel left the White House, seemingly unable to secure a promise from Trump to stay in the Iran nuclear deal or to provide a permanent European exemption to trade tariffs.

Unless Trump acts by May 1－which is next Tuesday－tariffs on European steel and aluminum will kick into effect, likely followed by EU countermeasures that would spark a transatlantic trade war.

US President Donald Trump (L) kisses German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) during her arrival outside the West Wing of the White House, April 27, 2018, in Washington, DC. /VCG Photo

"The president will decide. That is very clear," Merkel said, papering over differences during a joint press conference at the White House.

"We had an exchange of views on the current state of affairs of the negotiations and the respective assessments on where we stand on this. And the decision lies with the president."

On the Iran nuclear deal, which Trump may scuttle on May 12, Merkel conceded it was "anything but perfect" but is worth holding on to nonetheless.

Trump has demanded the "terrible" deal, which gave Tehran sanctions relief in return for curbs on controversial nuclear activities, be renegotiated, something Europeans see as unrealistic, dangerous and unnecessary.

US President Donald Trump (R) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel meet in the Oval Office of the White House, April 27, 2018. /VCG Photo

Merkel, like French President Emmanuel Macron who visited the White House earlier this week, tried to sell Trump on the idea of the deal being a stepping stone to a longer-term, broader agreement.

"It will not solve all the problems with Iran. It is one piece of the mosaic, one building block, if you like, on which we can build up this structure," she said.

Trump was as noncommittal as he was with Macron, giving no sense that he was ready to bend, or that he has an alternative plan.

"They will not be doing nuclear weapons. That I can tell you. Okay?" Trump said when asked about his own proposal, refusing to rule out military action.

US President Donald Trump (R) shakes hands with German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) during a joint news conference at the East Room of the White House, April 27, 2018. /VCG Photo

The White House has largely seen the deal through the prism of domestic politics and Trump's campaign promise to nix it.

Despite lingering disagreements, Trump tempered his previously harsh criticism of low German defense spending, open immigration policies and export-focused trade.

Hailing Merkel as an "extraordinary woman," Trump insisted that "we must have a fair and reciprocal trading relationship with our friends and partners."

"I'm committed to working with Chancellor Merkel to reduce barriers to United States exports, to remedy these trade imbalances, and deepen our economic ties."

Trump also renewed his criticism of NATO, saying the transatlantic defense alliance was more useful for Europe than for the United States, but in less sharp terms than before.

"NATO is wonderful but it helps Europe more than it helps us," he said, returning to a pet peeve.

"Why are we paying a vast majority of the costs?" he complained. "We're working on those things. It's been unfair. And I don't blame the chancellor."

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Source(s): AFP