German Chancellor Angela Merkel successfully mediated a meeting in Hamburg two months before a German election, where she convinced fellow leaders to support a single communique covering trade, finance, energy, and Africa. However, there was a clear divide between President Trump and the other 19 members of the club, such as Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Argentina. Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord was a point of contention, leading to Greenpeace activists protesting at the G20 summit in Hamburg. Merkel noted that the negotiations on climate revealed dissent, particularly against the United States. Greenpeace activists protested with a large statue of US President Donald Trump outside the Elbphilharmonie concert hall during the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany on July 7, 2017. The summit was marked by difficult trade negotiations, with the US taking specific positions. The event brought together a mix of leaders during a time of significant global geopolitical change, with Trump's shift to a more unilateral approach causing unease among traditional allies in Europe and allowing China to play a larger role. Tensions between Washington and Beijing, particularly regarding North Korea and trade, were a major focus leading up to the meeting. Before their meeting in Hamburg, Trump had promised to improve relations with Russia, but these plans were derailed by accusations of Russian interference in the election and investigations into Trump's associates. However, after a two-hour meeting at the summit, Putin denied meddling and Trump seemed satisfied with his response. At the summit, Trump took a more friendly approach towards Putin, stating that it was an honor to meet him and expressing a desire to focus on future relations rather than past conflicts. Russia's President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump had an important meeting at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany on July 7, 2017. Tillerson described the meeting as significant, noting the positive chemistry between Trump and Putin. Trump seemed satisfied with Putin's denials of poll meddling. The final communique acknowledged the US's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord, with the 19 other leaders declaring it irreversible. The US also stated its intention to work with other countries to access and use fossil fuels more cleanly and efficiently, a line that was contested by French President Emmanuel Macron. Thomas Bernes, a distinguished fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, stated that there is a clear consensus without the involvement of the United States. However, he pointed out that this could be problematic as the largest economy in the world plays a significant role. Jennifer Morgan, executive director at Greenpeace, commended the G19 for standing firm against Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. The leaders also agreed to combat protectionism and unfair trade practices, while acknowledging the importance of legitimate trade defense mechanisms. The leaders also vowed to collaborate in promoting economic growth in Africa, which is a key initiative for Merkel. Merkel strategically chose to host the summit in Hamburg, her birthplace, to demonstrate Germany's global openness and acceptance of peaceful protests. The summit took place near the "Rote Flora," a former theatre seized by anti-capitalist squatters, a symbol of left-wing resistance in Germany. During the G20 summit in Hamburg on July 8, 2017, violent protests erupted, with radicals looting shops and setting fire to vehicles. Over 200 police officers were injured and approximately 143 individuals were arrested, with 122 being taken into custody. A demonstrator hurled a bottle at riot police during the G20 summit protests in Hamburg, Germany on July 8, 2017. Some of the most severe destruction took place while Merkel was entertaining other leaders at a concert and extravagant dinner at the Elbphilharmonie, a modern glass concert hall with views of the Elbe River. Merkel expressed her gratitude to the police and security forces following the summit and criticized the "unrestrained violence" exhibited by certain protesters. However, she faced challenging inquiries during her closing press conference regarding the decision to hold the summit in Hamburg.