Germany's Merkel to visit Washington March 14
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[WASHINGTON] German Chancellor Angela Merkel will travel to Washington on March 14 to meet President Donald Trump, their first encounter after a rocky start to relations amid disagreements about trade, Mr Trump's travel ban and his comments about the media.
A US official announced the visit, which comes shortly before a meeting in Germany of the finance ministers of the G20 industrialised countries and will help lay the groundwork for Mr Trump's visit to Germany in July for a meeting of G20 leaders.
The new Republican president and Ms Merkel issued a joint statement after a telephone call in January, underscoring the importance of the Nato alliance and vowing to work together more closely to combat terrorism.
A few days later, Ms Merkel sharply criticised Mr Trump's temporary travel ban on citizens from seven majority-Muslim countries.
She has also repeatedly underscored the importance of a free press when asked about Mr Trump's negative comments about the media.
Ms Merkel had a warm relationship with Mr Trump's predecessor, Democrat Barack Obama.
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The meeting between Ms Trump and Ms Merkel is likely to cover a wide range of issues, including the global economy, trade, the fight against Islamic State, Nato and ties with Russia and China.
REUTERS
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