Merkel rebuffs Trump invitation to G-7 summit

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BERLIN — German Chancellor Angela Merkel has rebuffed Donald Trump’s invitation to attend a G-7 summit, which the president is keen to portray as a symbol of a return to normality from the upheaval of the coronavirus crisis.

"The federal chancellor thanks President Trump for his invitation to the G-7 summit at the end of June in Washington. As of today, considering the overall pandemic situation, she cannot agree to her personal participation, to a journey to Washington," German government spokesman Steffen Seibert told POLITICO on Friday.

 

"She will of course continue to monitor the development of the pandemic."

Merkel's refusal to accept Trump's invitation is the latest in a long line of examples of the difficult relationship between the two leaders. Trump has repeatedly criticized Germany, and Merkel specifically, over issues ranging from Berlin's trade surplus to its defense spending and commitment to NATO. Merkel has pointedly and publicly taken issue with the Trump administration's unilateral approach to a range of foreign policy issues, from climate change to the Iran nuclear deal.