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Angela Merkel on her 23rd and final visit to the United States.
After the reception by Vice President Kamala Harris, she first went to the renowned Johns Hopkins University, where she was awarded an honorary doctorate - with a few small ceremonial obstacles.
As the first European head of state, she then met President Biden - and that was very different than under his predecessor Trump:
Joe Biden, US President:
“It is a great pleasure to welcome Chancellor Merkel to the White House. She's been here in the Oval Office many times and is a good friend. "
Angela Merkel, Federal Chancellor:
"It's my first visit here since 2019 and I'm really looking forward to the personal exchange."
Martin Knobbe, DER SPIEGEL:
»You have a very close relationship with Joe Biden, of course. Joe Biden was the vice president under Barack Obama. And we all know that it was Barack Obama who encouraged Angela Merkel to take on another term in office, against the background that she should uphold the values, the old values of the West, at a time when Donald Trump ruled in America. The personal sympathy and harmony must of course not hide the fact that there are still major conflicts and differences between the two countries. This can be seen most tellingly in the Nordstream 2 gas pipeline, the German-Russian project. "
Angela Merkel, Federal Chancellor:
»Our understanding was and is and will remain that Ukraine remains a transit country for natural gas. That Ukraine, like any other country, has a right to territorial sovereignty. That is why we are also involved in the Minsk Process. And that we will act actively if Russia does not honor Ukraine's right to transit land. For me that means Nordstream 2 is an additional project and not a project instead of the transit of gas through Ukraine.
«
Joe Biden, US President:
“My opinion on Nordstream 2 has been known for some time. Good friends don't have to agree. Even though I have repeated my concerns about Nordstream 2, Chancellor Merkel and I both agree that Russia must
not be allowed to use energy as a weapon to coerce or threaten its neighbors. "
Martin Knobbe, DER SPIEGEL:
»There are also clear differences in attitudes towards China. Angela Merkel is trying to go two ways. On the one hand, to clearly address problems with China, on the other hand, to continue the dialogue. Joe Biden uses a much harsher language here. "
Joe Biden, US President:
“The situation in Hong Kong has worsened. The Chinese government is failing to keep its promises to Hong Kong. It takes more than a warning in response. "
During her visit to the US, the Chancellor also commented on the weather disaster in Germany.
Merkel promised further help to those affected.
Martin Knobbe, DER SPIEGEL:
»All in all, it seemed like a completely normal working visit. She talked about many subjects and found it difficult to answer questions related to her end of office. At some point she said the sentence that she also wants to drive stakes here for her personal successors, especially when it comes to economic relations. So you get the impression that Angela Merkel is having a hard time letting go. I assume that she will maintain this work attitude as much as possible in as little time as possible until the last day of her term of office. "
