German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived in Washington on Friday, where she met President Donald Trump for the first time.
Before a much-talked about joint news conference, the leaders held a private meeting and a roundtable discussion with German and US business leaders.
Merkel had invited the CEO's of German companies Siemens and BMW to the meeting in order to impress on Trump the contribution they make to the US economy.
Also taking part in Trump/Merkel workforce training talks, CEOs from BMW, Siemens, Dow Chemical and IBM, et al. @IvankaTrump too. pic.twitter.com/aTQW5lewUZ
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) March 17, 2017
In addition to the German business leaders, the President's daughter Ivanka Trump was also in attendance at the meeting.
Ivanka, who was seated next to the German Chancellor, has her own jewelry and fashion business. However, some observers questioned whether her business credentials were sufficient to earn her a place at the meeting.
The key relation btw #Germany & #USA is a serious matter. It shall not be family business. I disagree with #Ivanka #Trump presence. #Merkel pic.twitter.com/HcqRBYSl05
— Siegfried Muresan (@SMuresan) March 18, 2017
Many observers took to social networks to surmise that Chancellor Merkel was asking herself the same question.
Merkel: "what on earth are you doing here?" pic.twitter.com/Jrp5g0tmza
— Lina Lora Prosser (@linaloraprosser) March 17, 2017
Now we know what Merkel's "why are you at this meeting?" face looks like. pic.twitter.com/l635DLxgS6
— southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) March 17, 2017
During the roundtable discussion, Joe Kaeser of Siemens and Harald Krueger of BMW sought to impress on Trump the contribution their firms make to the German economy.
Presenting an "America first" economic policy, Trump has singled out German carmakers and threatened to impose a 35 percent border tax on German vehicles imported to the US market.
"Germany has been a model for highly successful apprenticeship programs. As a result the youth unemployment rate is much lower than other countries," he said.
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