Angela Merkel has released her new memoir: Freedom (Image: Getty)
The Former German Chancellor has given advice to current European leaders on how to approach their relationship with President-elect .
stepped down from the political frontline three years ago and has released her much anticipated memoir titled ‘Freedom’ from her time in office.
Once nicknamed ‘The Queen of Europe’, the retired politician explained how to gain ‘respect’ from Trump despite their previous tumultuous relationship.
Merkel led Germany for 16 years, serving as the Chancellor from 2005 to 2021 – Trump served as the 45th president of the United States during this period from 2017 to 2021.
Shortly after his inauguration, Merkel visited Washington to see the newly elected president, yet their relationship started off on the wrong foot according to her new memoir.
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Angela Merkel speaks on her relationship with Donald Trump while in office (Image: Getty)
The former Chancellor explains in Freedom how Trump initially did not shake her hand when being photographed despite demands from photographers to do so. Writing how she then took it upon herself to shake hands with the president by saying “they want to have a handshake”, she said “as soon as I said that, I shook my head mentally at myself.”
Merkel says this is because “Trump knew precisely what he was doing … He wanted to give people something to talk about with his behaviour”.
However, four years after exiting parliament, Merkel has revealed there is a certain method to gain ‘respect’ from Trump, delivering advice to the apprehensive European leaders who will be working alongside him.
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Trump expressed his concern over Germany’s low defence spending and trade deficits. (Image: Getty)
“It’s really important to know what your priorities are, to present them clearly and not to be scared, because can be very outspoken,” the retired German chancellor says during a rare interview with the .
She continues: “He expresses himself very clearly. And if you do that, there is a certain mutual respect. That was my experience anyway.”
During his first term in office, Trump was angered by Europe’s, particularly Germany’s, low defence spending and trade deficits. These concerns have not changed during this time, warning that he will increase tariffs on imports when returning to the White House in January.