ANGELA MERKEL/FRANCE/GERMANY/NUCLEAR/TRADE DEALS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “President Donald Trump’s backslapping diplomacy with France’s President Emmanuel Macron gave way to an altogether more businesslike encounter with another European ally, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, at the White House on Friday [4-27-18]. If Macron represented a friendly, if assertive, voice on matters of deep European concern, Merkel arrived at the White House prepared to act as the stern enforcer on issues such as trade and the Iran nuclear deal, even if expectations of swaying Trump remain low. Speaking to reporters at the start of their talks, Trump insisted the pair’s relationship is chummier than it may appear…The warmth aside, the differences between Merkel’s visit and the elaborate display of friendship offered to Macron this week were already apparent. Macron was treated to a grand military welcome, hours of talks, two dinners with Trump and his wife, and an opera performance. Merkel, meanwhile, is coming just for lunch. Some officials in Berlin had hoped Merkel might be treated to a grander welcome, but are pressing forward with what is on offer. Merkel and Macron coordinated their approaches toward Trump before departing for Washington, according to aides. They are both pushing Trump to back off threats to scrap the Iran nuclear deal and soften his approach on trade.”
–Kevin Liptak, “Trump’s backslapping diplomacy gives way to sterner talks with Merkel,” CNN Politics, CNN.com, April 27, 2018 12:46 pm