Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed “sorrow” over Donald Trump’s re-election, calling his leadership a challenge to global multilateralism. Reflecting on her experiences with Trump during his first term, Merkel described their meetings as combative, noting his tendency to seek dominance in discussions.
Merkel recalled an infamous 2017 Oval Office encounter where Trump refused her offer of a handshake for photographers, which she believed was deliberate. She advised future leaders to understand Trump’s curiosity is often aimed at gaining leverage rather than collaboration.
Merkel, now retired, said she was disappointed by both Hillary Clinton’s and Kamala Harris’s electoral defeats and remains concerned about the global impact of Trump’s policies.
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