US President Joe Biden (78) received Angela Merkel (66) on what will probably be her last visit as Chancellor in the White House. At a meeting lasting several hours, they discussed a range of topics, including the top politicians talking about the corona pandemic as well as China and Russia. Biden had also expressed his condolences to Merkel over the fatalities in the flood disaster: "It is a tragedy and our hearts are with the families who have lost loved ones," Biden said, according to a White House statement.
But there were also personal words in Washington: "I will miss seeing you at our summits. I really will," said Biden at the joint press conference on Merkel. Despite differences of opinion, she emphasized her friendship with Biden, whom she addressed with “dear Joe”, among other things. According to US media reports, when asked to compare her relationship with Biden with that of her predecessor Donald Trump (75), Merkel remained diplomatic and only stated that it was in the interest of every German chancellor "to work with every American president". She added with a smile: "Today was a very friendly exchange."
Honorary doctorate for Merkel
During her stay in the USA, Merkel was also awarded an honorary doctorate from Johns Hopkins University on Thursday. "No two regions in the world are linked by such depth and breadth of common interests and values as Europe and North America," explained the Chancellor in a speech on the occasion of the award. Therefore, she also understands "the great honor that you have bestowed on me today, not least as a special expression of the bond between our two countries".
