Merkel hosts Indian leader Modi, looks to broaden world ties

German Chancellor Angela Merkel addresses the media during a joint press conference as part of a meeting with the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, May 30, 2017.

First there was a tense North Atlantic Treaty Organisation summit in Brussels, followed by, to use Frau Merkel’s understated phrasing, a “very difficult” G7 summit in Italy, where differences over climate change were particularly apparent. “This will change”, he added amid a raging domestic debate in the U.S on the President’s first official tour of Europe last week that many critics say has undermined key partnerships.

“And that is why I can only say that we Europeans must really take our fate into our own hands – of course, in friendship with the United States of America, in friendship with Great Britain and as good neighbours wherever that is possible also with other countries, even Russian Federation”.

But wait. Since when is a difference of opinion on climate policy a signal of US retreat from Europe? “Very bad for US This will change”.

The US side took into account European concerns about the safety implications of storing devices with lithium batteries in aircraft cargo holds.

Trump’s spokespeople in the White House tried to tamp down the idea that the president had declared some sort of trade war with one of the country’s staunchest allies, but on Tuesday morning, the president blew their arguments out of the water with a single tweet.

One of the more significant quotations of last week came from President Donald Trump, when he reportedly described the Germans as “bad, very bad”, referring to their automobile exports.

But after Merkel and other senior German officials, who are campaigning ahead of September national elections in their own country, spent the weekend attacking Trump, the United States leader returned to the theme. Merkel – who faces German national elections in September – received a full minute of applause for her widely reported Sunday comments that the United States and UK could no longer be relied upon.

Merkel then said that while Germany and Europe would strive to remain on good terms with America and Britain, “we have to fight for our own destiny” and she also said that special emphasis was needed on warm relations between Berlin and newly-elected French President Emmanuel Macron.

“Europe must become a player active in global affairs”.

A joint statement issued after their meeting said the two leaders underlined their commitment to India’s strategic partnership with the European Union and their interest in developing it.

Now back at home, Trump needs to heed the warnings he heard while away and absorb some lessons that our real friends have sought to teach, apparently with little immediate impact.

And he warned against “accelerating climate change by weakening environmental protection”.