Merkel Reveals Insights into Her Interactions with Trump and Their Impact on Tariff Policies
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel shares in her memoirs insights into her often complex relationship with former U.S. President Donald Trump, notably recounting an incident in March 2017 when he refused to shake her hand in front of the cameras during an official meeting. According to her, Trump aimed to draw attention to himself, behaving provocatively to craft an image of an unpredictable leader eager to stand out. Merkel recalls that she remembered this moment as a symbol of his desire for the spotlight and public control. Later, privately, he did shake her hand, but the incident left a lasting impression on her as an example of his tactics to achieve personal goals. She emphasizes that these tactics are evident in his approach to trade tariffs, which she doubts will yield positive results for the United States. In excerpts from her memoirs published by the German weekly Die Zeit, Merkel describes her interaction with Trump in more detail. She observed that his mentality resembled that of a builder or entrepreneur, judging situations through the lens of a businessman, with a notable admiration for Russian leader Vladimir Putin. These traits, according to her, influence his decision-making at the international level and explain his unpredictable and attention-seeking behavior.