Trump Critiques Merkel's Refugee Policy During Meeting with German Chancellor
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has openly criticized ex-German Chancellor Angela Merkel for her decision to open Germany's doors to refugees, telling her successor Friedrich Merz that "it shouldn't have happened." During a press briefing with Merz, Trump referenced his recent announcement of travel restrictions affecting 19 countries, stating, "We want to keep bad people out of our country," before insinuating that Germany faces similar challenges with individuals allowed into the country under Merkel's open-door policy.
In his comments, Trump was particularly referring to incidents of violence in Germany involving refugees but refrained from mentioning Merkel by name. This is not the first time Trump has taken a strong stance against Merkel; during her visit to the White House in 2017, he confronted her regarding the influx of around one million refugees from war-torn regions like Syria and Iraq.
Merz's visit has been awaited with some anxiety in Berlin, as many feared that he might fall victim to a similar treatment as other world leaders who have previously met with Trump. However, much of the questioning and criticism seemed to be directed toward Merkel rather than Merz, as Trump also took a moment to criticize Merkel's enthusiasm for the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which allows gas from Russia to flow into Europe.
Throughout the 35-minute news conference, Merz found it difficult to insert his thoughts into the conversation. Observers noted that this might have been a relief for his advisers, who were concerned about Trump potentially attacking Merz on various topics such as defense spending and immigration. When he did manage to speak, Merz focused heavily on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and emphasized the importance of holding Russian President Vladimir Putin accountable for the war.
Merz underscored the necessity for U.S. involvement in ending the conflict, equating it with the historical role the U.S. played against Nazi Germany during World War II. Noting that the 81st anniversary of D-Day was approaching, he suggested that Trump was the pivotal individual capable of influencing the situation and pressuring Russia to bring about peace.
In addition to addressing military matters, Trump acknowledged Germany's commitment to increase its defense spending to 5% of its GDP—an increase that had long been insisted upon by the U.S. When asked by a German journalist if Germany was doing enough regarding defense, Trump responded positively, acknowledging their higher defense spending, yet humorously noted that he wasn't certain how General MacArthur would have viewed it.
Merz’s preparation for the visit involved consultations with other leaders who have engaged with Trump recently, gathering tips on how to approach the former president. In contrast, Merkel had famously prepared for her first meeting with Trump by reviewing an old Playboy interview with him and watching episodes of The Apprentice.
Indications that Trump and Merz had a cordial relationship included Merz being accommodated at the prestigious Blair House—a gesture that symbolizes good rapport between leaders. Moreover, Merz presented Trump with a gold-framed birth certificate of his grandfather, who emigrated from Germany in 1885, alongside a book titled "News from the Land of Freedom," which contains letters from German immigrants to their families back home. Merz described the gift as a small memento to remind Trump of his German roots and also invited him to visit his grandfather's hometown in Germany.
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