US President Donald Trump spoke with German Chancellor Angela Merkel ahead of the G20 summit in Hamburg. Merkel earlier downplayed expectations Europe and the US could overcome deep differences.
Image: picture alliance/dpa/K. Nietfeld
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The two leaders had an "extensive discussion" on climate issues, women's entrepreneurship and trade, especially global steel overcapacity, the White House said in a statement on Monday.
"The president said that he looks forward to helping Chancellor Merkel make the summit a success," it said.
Trump and Merkel will meet for their third time on Thursday, a day ahead of the two-day summit in Hamburg that is expected to highlight deep transatlantic differences over open trade, defense spending, migration and climate change.
Trump's maiden trip to Europe as president in May to attend a G7 summit in Italy and NATO summit in Brussels left European leaders in shock, with Merkel saying later that Europe could no longer rely on the United States.
Merkel and Trump: Transatlantic breakup?
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Last week, Merkel met with other European leaders and vowed to press on with climate protection and fight for open markets despite concerns over protectionism and Trump's "America First" policy.
"The differences are obvious and it would be dishonest to try to cover that up. That I won't do," she said.
On Monday, Merkel sought to downplay expectations of her meeting with Trump and unity on a final communique from the G20 summit.
"We know the positions set out by the American government and I do not expect that these positions will be laid aside because of a two-day trip to Hamburg and that they will be suddenly reflected in the communique," Merkel told a press conference in Berlin on Monday while presenting her party's platform.
She said that while there would likely be agreement on combating terrorism financing, there remains "a whole series of thorny issues" within in the G20.
Hamburg: G20 protests in pictures
Anti-G20 protests in Hamburg have been both peaceful and violent. Up to 100,000 protesters took part in demonstrations.
Image: picture alliance/dpa/D.Bockwoldt
"Schanzenviertel" covered in debris
This part of town was the scene of escalating violence. That did not come as a surprise: The quarter is traditionally the hub of Hamburg's leftist activists. It has been subject to gentrification, turning into a "hip" place to live and magnet for tourists.
Image: picture alliance/dpa/A.Heimken
A night of devastation
Police regained control over the streets of Hamburg in the early hours of the morning.
Image: Reuters/P. Kopczynski
Looting and rioting
Several shops were looted and damaged during the first day of protests.
Image: Reuters/P. Kopczynski
Smoke bombs
Black block protesters were throwing flares at police from behind street baracades. It took several hours for police to really push back in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Image: picture-alliance/ZUMAPRESS/O. Messinger
Fires were lit and shops looted
Fires were set in Hamburg streets and some cars were burned out.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/O. Andersen
Burning barricades
Protesters lit barricades on Friday evening. Throughout the city cars had been set on fire.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/S. Loos
Violence took over as night fell
Cars were burned and barricades set alight as a violent mob stepped up its actions, sidelining the majority of mainly peaceful protesters.
Image: Reuters/H. Hanschke
Black Bloc
Police blamed anarchists with the so-called Black Bloc movement for much of the violence. Black Bloc protesters wear all black and cover their faces to avoid being identified.
Image: picture-alliance/CITYPRESS 24/H. Hay
Battle of G20 Hamburg
Riot police disperse crowds with water cannon vehicles on Friday.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/M. Schrader
Armored vehicles on the streets
Police use water against a woman after she climbed on top of an armoured carrier on Friday.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/M. Schrader
Chasing protesters
Police chased protesters up a hill to gain control of the streets.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/M. Schrader
War zone
A picture published on social media shows smoke rising from the streets during protests on Friday.
Image: Reuters/Social Media
Children among those affected
Violent protests turned several neighborhoods where children usually play into scenes from a warzone.
