German Chancellor Angela Merkel was successful in persuading her fellow leaders at a meeting in Hamburg to agree on a unified communique covering various topics such as trade, finance, energy, and Africa. However, there was a clear divide between US President Donald Trump, who prioritizes "America First", and the other 19 members of the group. Trump's recent decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord further highlighted this divide. Merkel noted that the negotiations on climate showcased disagreement, with all members except the United States opposing Trump's stance. Greenpeace activists protested at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany by displaying a large statue of US President Donald Trump in front of the Elbphilharmonie concert hall on July 7, 2017. The summit was marked by difficult trade negotiations, with the United States taking specific positions that caused challenges. The event brought together various leaders amidst a changing global political landscape, with Trump's shift to more unilateral diplomacy creating uncertainty among traditional allies in Europe and allowing rising powers like China to play a larger role. Tensions between Washington and Beijing were high leading up to the summit, with the Trump administration pressuring President Xi Jinping on North Korea and threatening trade measures on steel. During their first meeting in Hamburg, Trump and Putin discussed allegations of Russian interference in the election and Trump seemed to accept Putin's denials. Prior to the summit, Trump had criticized Russia's actions in Ukraine and Syria, but in Hamburg he took a more friendly approach, focusing on building future relations rather than dwelling on past issues. Russia's President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump had a significant meeting at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany on July 7, 2017. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson described the meeting as important, with a positive chemistry between Trump and Putin. Trump seemed satisfied with Putin's denials of meddling in the US election. The final communique noted the US decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord, which the other 19 leaders declared as irreversible. The United States included a controversial line stating that it would work with other countries to access and use fossil fuels more cleanly and efficiently, prompting French President Emmanuel Macron to lead efforts to soften the language. Thomas Bernes, a distinguished fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, pointed out that there is a clear consensus among all countries except for the United States. However, he also raised concerns about the limitations of moving forward without the participation of the world's largest economy. Jennifer Morgan, executive director of Greenpeace, commended the G19 for standing firm against Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Additionally, the leaders agreed to combat protectionism and unfair trade practices while acknowledging the importance of legitimate trade defense measures. The leaders also promised to collaborate in promoting economic growth in Africa, which was a major focus for Merkel. Merkel decided to host the summit in Hamburg, her birth city, to demonstrate Germany's welcoming attitude towards the world and its acceptance of peaceful protests. The summit took place near the "Rote Flora," a former theatre that became a symbol of left-wing resistance after being taken over by anti-capitalist squatters almost thirty years ago. During the G20 summit in Hamburg, which lasted three days, violent protesters looted shops and set fire to cars and trucks. More than 200 police officers were injured and approximately 143 individuals were arrested, with 122 being taken into custody. A protester threw a bottle at riot police during protests at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany on July 8, 2017. The most significant damage occurred while Merkel was hosting other leaders for a concert and dinner at the Elbphilharmonie, a modern glass concert hall with views of the Elbe River. Following the summit, Merkel expressed gratitude to the police and security forces, denouncing the "unrestrained brutality" of certain protesters. However, she faced challenging questions during her closing press conference about the decision to hold the summit in Hamburg.