President Trump will meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel on
Friday. How they get along could shape relations between the U.S. and Europe's
economic powerhouse for years.
The omens for their first meeting aren't great. Trump
accused Merkel of "ruining Germany" in 2015 with her open door to
refugees. He has sent mixed signals about the European Union and spoken warmly
of Russia's President Vladimir Putin.
His senior adviser, Peter Navarro, has taken aim at
Germany's trade surplus, accusing the country of using a "grossly
undervalued" euro to harm America. Now, Trump's talking about tariffs or
taxes to protect U.S. jobs.
"The preconditions... are probably the worst we've seen
so far," said Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, a former minister of defense,
economics and technology in the German government.
Merkel, who grew up behind the Iron Curtain, will likely
respond with a very clear message: Free trade works, don't build new barriers.
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