Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel Breaks Her Silence On Trumpโ€™s Return, Recalls What Every Meeting With Him Was Like

We can't blame her.


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In a candid interview with German weekly Der Spiegel, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel reflected on Donald Trumpโ€™s return to power, describing it as a moment of โ€œsorrowโ€ and a significant challenge for global diplomacy. Merkel, who worked with four U.S. presidents during her tenure, revealed that Trumpโ€™s leadership posed unique difficulties, particularly for multilateralism.

A โ€œCompetitionโ€ in Every Meeting

Merkel described her interactions with Trump as fundamentally adversarial. โ€œEvery meeting was a competition: you or me,โ€ she said, recounting the tension that defined their professional relationship. The former chancellor recalled a famously awkward Oval Office moment in 2017, during her first visit to the Trump White House. Photographers requested a handshake, prompting Merkel to ask, โ€œDo you want to have a handshake?โ€ Trump ignored her, keeping his hands clasped. Merkel now sees this as a deliberate move. โ€œHis refusal was calculation,โ€ she explained, highlighting his strategic use of such moments to assert dominance.

 

Trumpโ€™s Approach: โ€œCuriosity for Advantageโ€

Merkel offered insight into Trumpโ€™s leadership style, describing him as curious and detail-oriented โ€” but only when it served his advantage. โ€œHe wanted details to strengthen himself and weaken others,โ€ she said. She also observed that his need to assert victory grew with the size of the audience. โ€œThe more people in the room, the greater his urge to be the winner.โ€

A Challenge for Global Stability

Merkel underscored the global implications of Trumpโ€™s presidency. โ€œHe is a challenge for the world, particularly for multilateralism,โ€ she said, adding that Trumpโ€™s return to power is daunting given the U.S. economyโ€™s dominance and the dollarโ€™s global influence. Merkel lamented Trumpโ€™s victory over Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, admitting, โ€œI would have liked a different outcome.โ€ She also expressed disappointment over Hillary Clintonโ€™s loss in 2016.

Reflecting on a Difficult Partnership

During her 16 years in office, Merkelโ€™s first encounter with Trump set the tone for a tense relationship between Berlin and Washington. The period was marked by stark disagreements on issues ranging from climate change to trade and NATO. Despite these challenges, Merkel maintained a pragmatic approach, seeking constructive engagement where possible.

As Merkel prepares to release her memoirs, her reflections offer a stark reminder of the deep divisions Trumpโ€™s leadership created on the world stageโ€”divisions that remain relevant as he reclaims the Oval Office. For Merkel, Trumpโ€™s presidency continues to represent a challenge not just for Germany but for the international order as a whole.

Featured image via screengrab



Shay Maz

Shay Maz has been a political writer for many years. This is a pseudonym for writing; if you need to contact her - you may do so here: https://x.com/SheilaGouldman

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