Despite major policy differences on trade, climate, Russia, NATO, and refugee and immigration policy, Angela Merkel was committed to maintaining a constructive working relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump after his election in 2016. This photo shows Merkel and Trump at their first meeting in March 2017.  However, the relationship was tense from the start and deteriorated in the following years because of Trump’s criticism of German exports, low military spending, commitment to environmental policies and social spending.