Angela Merkel: The Last Great Hope Comes To Washington

What to expect when Angela Merkel meets Donald Trump Deutsche Welle

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is campaigning for her fourth term in office and has remained unflappable in her dealings with George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

During both administrations, Merkel weathered major shocks to the transatlantic system, like the aftermath of the Iraq War and the NSA affair in which it was revealed that Merkel's phone was plugged into US intelligence.

A furious Merkel managed to keep US-German relations on a mutually positive course. But with Trump -- who has severely criticized Merkel for her policies on Immigration -- Merkel faces her most complicated challenge. The fact-based, limelight-shying German strategist comes face to face with a US president who can't get enough of himself. 

Can Merkel -- who is travelling with her corporate heavyweights -- stroke Trump's mercurial ego enough to keep the free world in balance? Democracies worldwide are watching. 

Related: The Leader of the Free World Meets Donald Trump Politico

GERMAN CHANCELLOR ANGELA MERKEL & US PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP MARCH 17, 2017. TRUMP REFUSED TO SHAKE MERKEL'S HAND IN THE OFFICIAL PHOTO -- AT THE SUGGESTION OF MERKEL AND REPORTERS IN THE ROOM.

The US president is a total ass#at. He refused to shake hands with Angela Merkel in a photo op at her suggestion and at the suggestion of reporters. This is Trump who practically dragged Japan's prime minister around the room for 19 seconds, refusing to let go of his hand and showing his silverback gorilla style of dominance.

Merkel remained gracious, her body language learning forward and seeking eye contact with Trump more than once. The silverback gorilla -- as Nigel Farage called his alpha male style -- would have none of it. It was if Merkel wasn't in the room.

Perhaps on further reflection, Trump decided that holding hands with British PM Theresa made him look like a bonobo and not a silverback. Frankly, holding hands with May was equally awkward but perhaps represented a different display of Trump's male ego in dealing with competent female world leaders. 

Many of us -- and me in the lead -- truly respect Angela Merkel, and not only for her immigration stance, which is inspired by creating a new German workforce, unlike Trump, who thinks we can go back to the 50s, rather than educating our workers.

Germany can teach us so much, and his refusal to shake her hand is a diplomatic incident and further evidence of the misogyny that runs to the core of his being.

The president of the United States disgusts me with his antics and his behavior, which is that of a selfish five-year-old. #RESIST Can you believe this behavior from the president of the US!!!!! Merkel runs circles around him in intelligence, strategic thinking, and EXECUTION. ~ Anne