Four years ago, the joint programme of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), emphasized the United States as Germany's key ally outside of Europe. The program highlighted the significance of the friendship with Washington in Germany's international relations and aimed to bolster transatlantic economic relationships by eliminating trade barriers. However, the latest election program, titled "For a Germany in which we live well and happily," unveiled by Merkel and CSU leader Horst Seehofer ahead of the September 24 election, does not use the terms "friend" or "friendship" in relation to the United States. Instead, the US is referred to as Germany's primary partner outside of Europe. CDU officials were not immediately available to provide a comment on the change in wording. The change in wording highlights the deteriorating relations between Berlin and Washington since US President Donald Trump took office in January. During his campaign, Trump criticized Merkel for her migration policies and trade surplus with the US, accused European partners of owing money to NATO, and caused concern among western allies by withdrawing from the Paris climate accord. A recent survey by the Pew Research Centre showed that only 35 percent of Germans have a positive view of the United States, a drop from 57 percent at the end of Obama's presidency. Merkel is scheduled to host Trump and other leaders at a G20 summit in Hamburg later this week. The 2017 election programme for the CDU/CSU mentions historic US support for Germany after World War Two and leading up to German reunification, instead of focusing on strengthening economic ties as the 2013 passage did. The programme also echoes Chancellor Merkel's statement after a challenging G7 summit in May, emphasizing the need for Europeans to take control of their own destiny more decisively. The programme reaffirms Germany's dedication to NATO but also stresses the importance of the EU being able to defend itself independently for long-term survival. It includes a new section called "Germany and France as the Engine of Europe" which promises to strengthen the relationship between the two countries. The statement expresses willingness to work with the new French government to enhance the euro zone gradually, such as by establishing its own monetary fund. However, it rejects sharing debt in Europe and emphasizes that "solidarity" will only be achievable if EU countries adhere to the regulations of the bloc's Growth and Stability Pact.