LIVE: Biden, Merkel Hold Joint News Conference at the White House

(July 15) Watch live as President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Angela Merkel hold a joint news conference at the White House on Thursday, July 15, 2021, in Washington, D.C.

Biden is hosting Merkel at the White House on Thursday, with the two leaders likely to brush past pleasantries over their renewed trans-Atlantic bond and focus on hardened differences over Russia and China.

Making her 23rd and probably final visit to the U.S. during her 16-year chancellorship, Merkel plans to discuss key issues between the two countries rather than give valedictory speeches. Central to talks will be U.S. criticism of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline link between Russia and Germany, which Merkel has backed.

At the start of the meeting, Merkel told reporters through an interpreter: “We have an opportunity to talk more about our bilateral relationship, about the relationship of Germany and America, obviously in the context of European matters. We can also talk about matters that relate to European neighbors, geopolitical issues.”

Biden said cooperation between the two countries is “strong.”

“We hope we continue that and I’m confident we will,” Biden said.

Merkel has a much more comfortable relationship with Biden than his predecessor, Donald Trump, who repeatedly pilloried the chancellor over trade, the pipeline and defense spending.

But Biden’s more hospitable approach belies an undercurrent of tension over how to grapple with Russia and China. In both cases, Merkel is resistant to a firmer approach favored by the U.S. administration -- and she’s eager to assert European interests where they were once in lockstep with the U.S.

Biden has called the Baltic Sea pipeline a “bad deal,” though his administration this year suspended sanctions tailored to halt the construction of Nord Stream 2. American negotiators want guarantees from Merkel that Vladimir Putin of Russia can be kept in check -- and that he won’t use the pipeline to cut off gas flow through Ukraine, which relies on transit fees.

Earlier this week, Merkel made an overture toward Biden, vowing that Europe will “do everything” to ensure the taps stay on. She said a finalized agreement over Nord Stream will likely come in August.

On China, Merkel favors a path between calling out rights violations while pursuing engagement that she views as unavoidable. By contrast, the Biden administration has adopted much of Trump’s hawkish stance.

Merkel spearheaded a European Union-China investment agreement, which was hashed out at the end of last year before Biden took office. The accord, though currently stalled, was also a statement of intention from Europe that it would assert its interests before consulting with the U.S.

The two leaders will release the so-called Washington Declaration, a renewal of ties outlining common approaches to policy, a U.S. official told reporters ahead of the visit. In a decisive shift from Trump, the document will reinforce a commitment to the rules-based international order, human rights and democracy.

The German leader began the day in Washington with a breakfast with Vice President Kamala Harris. She also received an honorary doctorate -- her 18th -- from Johns Hopkins University. After bilateral talks and a news conference, the president and first lady plan to host Merkel and her husband, Joachim Sauer, a retired professor of physics who will put in a rare appearance.

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[seekingexcellence]

Wow, he can't even look up to make it look like he isn't straight up reading from a script.

[CrucesNomad]

“It’s no longer just about who gets to vote or making it easier for eligible voters to vote. It’s about who gets to count the vote — who gets to count whether or not your vote counted at all”

[fancysfolly]

I don’t care what anybody says..I like him...I think he has a good heart....I did not think that about the previous president....things felt out of control...like we were being governed by a spoiled adolescent boy....he had no manners...I was scared the whole time he was in office....I hope and pray there’s time left to overcome all the serious things going on....the virus, all the civil unrest..the police brutality..the damage being done to Mother Earth....the economy....things seem to be coming to a head. I appreciate very much that President Biden seems to have the well being of the American people in mind. Why not make life a little easier for the average person and taxpayer....why keep taxing people to death...and then when the American people need some help....when we are struggling...why not have a safety net....other countries do things like that...I’m about fed up with politicians...

[MM-pkxw]

Biden reminds me of gold member from Austin powers movie😂

[sharonmores]

Sometimes I think business like this should be discussed between the two of them in private and then speak to the public.

[charlessmith]

Which one snoozes first? My money’s on Creepy!

[quentinbraxston]

What About The Seniors That's on Social Security, SSDI, Etc. That are Struggling To Make Ends Meet?? We Are in Need Also, We Too Are Americans!!

[evonwilliams]

Thank you president Joe Biden for thinking about the people now we can work on getting America back on track again thank you lord for our new President Joe Biden 😆😉🤣😂😂🍭🥀

[JesusSaysMAGAtrashMAGAfilth]

*Thank you, President Biden!*
*It's good to know that we finally have an intelligent and adult President at America's helm!*

[sharonmores]

Angela Merkel is held in high regard to our country and I am glad we now have a president that not only shows respect to other countries we share this earth with, but also shows respect to women in all nations.

[milovetto]

Comment ? Self commenting ; this guy is weak, short of energy even short of breath .