Why famous leaders in ancient history had very low starting points

On March 17, local time in the United States, Trump and Merkel met for the first time. There were still strong differences on immigration, trade and NATO.

Before this meeting, Trump and Merkel had "shouted from a distance" many times. Trump has criticized Merkel on immigration policy and trade issues; Merkel also responded meaningfully that "the fate of Europeans is in their own hands." In view of this, the first meeting between the two on the 17th attracted considerable attention.

Not only that, the body language of Trump and Merkel also revealed various differences: Although Trump once shook hands with Merkel when he greeted Merkel at the White House, during the joint press conference, he especially Trump refused to shake Merkel's hand.

The video script shows that when the photographer asked the two to shake hands, Merkel was asking, "Do you want to shake hands?" Trump simply turned toward him but did not extend his hands. Merkel could only smile in front of the camera.

Media reports say that German Chancellor Merkel hopes to seek Trump’s support for the EU, while Trump hopes to seek Germany’s support for NATO defense spending. During the press conference, Trump tried to pressure Merkel to meet NATO's military spending target, but Merkel repeatedly emphasized that they stick to the 2% military spending target.

Trump said, “I have repeatedly emphasized to German Chancellor Merkel that the United States will strongly support NATO, but our NATO allies also need to pay a corresponding share. Many countries have owed money in the past few years. A lot of money, and it's very unfair for the United States that these countries have to pay their own share." But Trump said that he and Merkel have at least one thing in common. . Trump claimed that the Obama administration had monitored his phone calls, and the German government also presented evidence in 2013 that the U.S. government had spied on Merkel.

Trump and Merkel have always had huge differences. Since running for president, Trump has criticized Merkel's immigration policies. He criticized Merkel for allowing thousands of refugees to enter Germany. Merkel, who had good relations with former US presidents Obama and Bush, now appears to be seeking Trump's support, despite multiple policy differences.

During the meeting, Trump and Merkel also expressed relevant views on trade issues. She stated that she intends to maintain "fair trade" with the United States. For some countries, globalization should be free and fair, and trade should be fairer. Call on Germany and the United States to hold trade negotiations again. European and American trade negotiations are bilateral.

The first meeting between Trump and Merkel showed a positive trend. The two tried to "put aside" their differences and sought to establish closer bilateral relations.

Faced with previous differences, Merkel said before her trip: "Face-to-face contact is always better than mutual suspicion. This is also the biggest purpose of my trip."

Trump said he hopes that trade between the United States and the United States will go well. He does not agree with isolationism, but hopes that trade policies will be more fair.

Trump emphasized at the beginning of the joint press conference that the United States will continue to support NATO, and NATO allies should also bear defense expenditures accordingly.

Analysts pointed out that Merkel’s trip also takes into account the factors of the September election. She hopes to maintain close ties between the United States and Europe, and also understands that Germans generally do not like Trump, so she must strike a delicate balance. , to avoid appearing too close to Washington.

The biggest feature of this meeting is that both the United States and the United States have undergone major changes. Germany has always been unwilling to play a too prominent role in diplomatic issues, but now it has become the leader of the West; on the other hand, the United States is no longer Focusing on Europe, the degree of alienation is also unprecedented.