Friction between U.S. President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, during the Oval Office photo-op, was painfully obvious to everybody watching. Trump has had many awkward moments during his Presidency, but when photographers asked Trump and Merkel to shake hands, and Trump declined, it was not only awkward, it was shameful.
Trump, once again, proved he is no gentlemen, no statesman, and noticeably green behind the ears as the leader of the free world.
What is a girl to do?
When asked how the meeting went with the German Chancellor, Trump responded with “very good.” When asked what they spoke about he replied “many things.” Not known to be a man of few words, Trump surprised reporters by keeping his comments short and sweet, joking with photographers that they should make sure to send a good picture back to Germany.
The German Chancellor is a former research scientist with a doctorate in physical chemistry. Is there any surprise the two have different views? Merkel chooses her words carefully, and prefers not to disagree openly, nor does she take to Twitter in the early morning hours to rant about something or other.
Forbes magazine named Angela Merkel the most powerful woman in the world for a record 10 times. Time magazine named her Person of the Year in December 2015. In 2014 she became the longest-serving head of government in the European Union, and today, Angela Merkel is the senior G7 leader.
How to run their countries
The fundamental difference in education and experience were not the only things that got in the way of their first face-to-face meeting.
The two also disagree on policy and style. Trump insisted he was a believer in free trade and pledged his support for NATO. Merkel said she was “gratified” as she addressed the media through an interpreter.
Taking the opportunity to defend her stance on refugees, Merkel told reporters “It's better to talk to one another, than about one another.” Knowing very well that Trump was against her refugee policy.
President Trump criticized the German leader's policy on refugee's, saying her behavior was “insane” and accused her of “ruining Germany.”
