When Angela Meets DonaldReal Clear Politics, Mar 14, 2017, Kenneth Weinstein & Craig Kennedy
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What should Chancellor Merkel say when she sits down in the Oval Office? First, she should throw out the old rules that worked so well with Barack Obama. In the last Administration, the US was quite happy to outsource much of its leadership in Europe to Germany. Indeed, one could argue that no German chancellor, including Adenauer and Kohl, had as close a partnership with their American counterpart. This will not be the case under the new regime. Donald Trump has no interest in endowing Germany with added power and the days where Berlin could steer policy on Ukraine, Russia and other sensitive matters is over.
Second, Merkel should arrive bearing gifts. She should start the conversation by pointing out that German companies have invested heavily in the United States and, by some estimates, are responsible for the employment of 640,000 American workers. Following the example of Shinzo Abe, she should then talk about the future and the plans for new German factories in the United States. If some of these investments happen to be in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and other states that surprisingly voted for Trump, all the better.
Third, Merkel should make it clear that she understands that Germany needs to do more in providing security for its own people and for fellow Europeans to the east. .../
Finally, the Chancellor should put an end to declaring that Great Britain’s exit from the European Union should be painful as possible. President Trump has not shown a great deal of interest in Europe but he has been clear about his unequivocal support for a return of sovereignty to the United Kingdom. .../
At the end, Merkel and Trump should walk out, greet the press and affirm German-American ties. For her, there will be a temptation to play to German audiences that are increasingly anti-Trump and anti-American.../
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But if Merkel understands that the best course of action is to address Trump’s serious concerns about jobs, fair trade and defense, she should go back to Berlin with a new friend.
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http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2017/03/14/when_angela_meets_donald_133334.html
