Fri Mar 17, 2017 22:02:26
President Donald Trump welcomed German Chancellor Angela Merkel to the White House on Friday for a meeting that could help determine the future of the transatlantic alliance and shape the working relationship between two of the world's most powerful leaders.
The new U.S. president greeted the long-serving stateswoman at the White House with a handshake upon her arrival before they began talks in the Oval Office. Both leaders described their meeting in brief remarks to reporters as having been very good.
The leader of Europe's largest economy and the U.S. president were expected to discuss funding for NATO and relations with Russia in their first meeting since Trump took office in January. Asked if they talked about NATO, Trump said the two leaders had discussed many things.
Merkel smiled comfortably in her chair next to the president, who sat with his legs apart and hands together. They are scheduled to hold a joint press conference around 1730 GMT, reuters reported.
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