It’s no use talking with Trump, you can talk with him behind closed doors or in front of a camera; he’s a dictator and you can’t win. I would have never gone there; let diplomats on a lower level do the lobbying.

Exactly. I don’t like Merz, but it’s absolutely pointless trying to grandstand against him in public will only make you a target. Trump has the maturity of a toddler so best you can do is nod and smile in public … and then try to talk to the adults in the backroom.

Well, some leaders have successfully pushed back against him. I think Macron corrected him back when he visited shortly after inauguration.

What was the success of that? I haven’t seen any positive result… except perhaps for macrons ratings back home.