Donald Trump and Angela Merkel appeared no closer to resolving differences on the Iran nuclear agreement, trade and Nato, after a cordial but cool meeting between the US president and the German chancellor at the White House.
Ms Merkel arrived in Washington only days after France’s Emmanuel Macron concluded an elaborate three-day state visit complete with a black-tie dinner and military pageantry, as well as copious backslapping, hand-holding and kissing.
While Mr Trump did shake Ms Merkel’s hand — something the president was criticised for failing to do during their first Oval Office meeting a year ago — he and the German chancellor remained visibly reserved with one another.