Transatlantic ties

The first meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, originally scheduled for March 14 but postponed to March 17 due to heavy storms, will be an occasion for pundits to compare their characters, policy choices and weight in world politics. More importantly, it will be watched for clues of western (dis)unity in the face of myriad challenges that the Western alliance has been facing for some time in world politics.

Given the complexity of the relationship between the two countries, Merkel's first face-to-face conversation with Trump will be crucial on several fronts.

As Merkel is the longest serving Western leader, in office since 2005, she has dealt with numerous challenges and met with world leaders several times on numerous occasions. Her insights will therefore be important in shaping the Trump's administration's foreign policy. President Trump will no doubt wish to consult with her on several issues, particularly her advice on dealing with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

However, it is the divergences between them, revealed by reciprocal strong criticisms reported in media outlets, which make her visit more interesting. They need to talk and seek common ground on a wide range of issues - from the future of transatlantic ties to international security, the Ukrainian conflict, climate change, the refugee issue, and the EU's prospects after Brexit.

Trump is the third U.S. president that Merkel has worked with so far. Although she was effective in building a strong rapport with his predecessors, it is rumored that she is not leaving anything to a chance and has been effusively preparing for her visit to Washington to build at least a workable relationship with the unpredictable Trump.