A kindWhen Engela Merkel stood in front of the camera at the German Embassy in Washington, she looked depressed. In the flooded areas of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia, her idea is to “always be with people at home,” the prime minister said in a short scheduled appearance. “From here, I want to express my sympathy and solidarity to you.” Merkel said of disasters and tragedies. It is obvious how much she has influenced her situation in the German country.
This is one of Merkel’s last major visits abroad and one of the most important visits to the United States during her 16-year-old tenure as prime minister. However, floods that have caused many deaths, collapsed houses, and flooded areas almost make your reason for visiting Washington take a back seat.
After a period of chaos during the administration of former President Donald Trump, Merkel and Joe Biden The most important thing is to signal a fresh start. Even if Merkel no longer participates in federal elections and she will step down in a few months: during the review in the United States, her successor in the Chancellery must have laid an important foundation.
Friendly welcome from the White House
As soon as Biden arrived in the Oval Office of the White House to welcome him, it was obvious that the atmosphere between the prime minister and the president was right.Not like that era trump card The two seemed to be facing each other, and Merkel and Biden also laughed. There are thick documents on Biden’s side table, praising Merkel as a personal friend of the United States. The relationship between the two countries is strong and constantly developing. Merkel has done a lot for this “lasting friendship”.
Merkel, who was born in East Germany and has always had great sympathy for the United States, replied: “I really appreciate this friendship. I know what the United States has done for the history of a free and democratic Germany.”
At a later press conference, the atmosphere was also very relaxed-even if the personal conflict continued to smolder. The conversation between Merkel and Biden took an hour longer than planned. She provides “groundbreaking services” to Germany and the world, always upholding justice and defending human dignity. “I know that with your help, the partnership between Germany and the United States will become stronger.”
At the beginning, Merkel talked about the flood disaster again: she was very close to the suffering of the victims. In these difficult times, the government will not leave the people alone. She thanked Biden for his friendly exchanges. “We are close partners,” she emphasized with relief. “Even after I became the Federal Chancellor, I hope it will remain in this state.”
Not consistent on all topics
As usual, Merkel handled these issues calmly. She praised the energy and climate partnership reached between the two countries at the meeting, and briefly talked about Iran, Afghanistan, the pandemic, global vaccination and other topics. In the dispute between Russia and Germany over the Beixi Line 2 of the Baltic Pipeline, the two sides are still tough-it is already obvious that Merkel and Biden will not declare a breakthrough here. Biden succinctly commented that even good friends may have differences. And there is no solution to the controversial travel rules in the United States caused by the pandemic or the United States’ request to cancel vaccine patent protection.
During the Prime Minister’s visit to Washington, the flood disaster aroused people’s attention to the big topic of the future-climate protection. Here, everywhere, there is a huge difference in Trump’s era: He pulled the United States out of the Paris climate protection agreement. Biden overthrew the withdrawal on his first day in office.
Merkel is now calling for progress at the United Nations Climate Conference at Johns Hopkins University in the fall, from which she received her 18th honorary doctorate during her tenure. “Of course, the United States of America is back and they have put forward quite ambitious goals. This is very, very good news,” she praised.
Greetings from Vice President Harris
Before her difficult appearance in the flood disaster, Merkel met with the Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris Encountered-a woman whom the prime minister clearly sympathized with. There is a warm scene in the greeting. However, Merkel and Harris did not shake hands, possibly because of the new crown pandemic.
Of course, in Washington, the Chancellor of the Exchequer was also asked what she would do after leaving office and what would happen to her the day after tomorrow. Merkel happily replied in a Q&A session with Johns Hopkins University students: “I may habitually think of different ideas, what should I do now.” “Then I will soon realize that now Someone is doing this. And I think I will like it very much.”
You will notice that you have free time-and will not immediately accept the next invitation, “Because I am worried that I have nothing to do, no one wants me anymore,” Merkel said. She will take a break and think about what she is really interested in, “because I have not had much time in the past 16 years.” She can read and sleep—”Then let us see where I appear,” she concluded with a smile.
