German Chancellor Angela Merkel successfully persuaded her fellow leaders to support a single communique on trade, finance, energy, and Africa at a meeting in Hamburg, showcasing her mediation skills ahead of the German election. However, there was a clear divide between President Trump, who prioritizes "America First", and the other 19 members of the group. Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord caused further tension, with Merkel noting that negotiations on climate were particularly contentious due to the US's stance. Similarly, trade discussions were challenging due to the specific positions taken by the United States. The summit in Hamburg was marked by violent protests, resulting in burning cars and broken shop windows, and brought together a mix of leaders during a time of significant change in global politics. Trump's shift towards a more unilateral approach has created uncertainty in global leadership, causing unease among traditional allies in Europe and allowing rising powers like China to step into a larger role. Tensions between Washington and Beijing were a major focus leading up to the meeting, with the Trump administration pressuring President Xi Jinping to address issues with North Korea and threatening trade measures on steel. Trump's first meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hamburg was highly anticipated, following promises of improved relations during his campaign that were hindered by accusations of Russian interference in the election and investigations into ties between Trump associates and Russia. Putin stated after the summit that Trump had questioned him about the alleged meddling during a two-hour meeting, and appeared satisfied with Putin's denial of involvement. Trump had previously accused Russia of causing instability in Ukraine and Syria, but at the summit in Hamburg, he took a more conciliatory approach, referring to it as an honor to meet Putin. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson indicated that Trump wanted to focus on future relationships rather than dwelling on the past. Tillerson described the meeting as very important, highlighting a positive chemistry between Trump and Putin. The final communique acknowledged the US withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement as irreversible, while the US added a controversial statement about working with other countries to use fossil fuels more cleanly and efficiently. French President Emmanuel Macron took the lead in efforts to moderate the language used by the United States. Thomas Bernes, a respected fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, noted that there is a general agreement among countries excluding the US, but raised concerns about the limitations of progress without the involvement of the world's largest economy. Jennifer Morgan, Executive Director of Greenpeace, praised the G19 for standing firm against President Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris Agreement. The leaders agreed to oppose protectionism and unfair trade practices, recognizing the need for legitimate trade defense instruments. They also vowed to collaborate on economic development in Africa, a key focus for Merkel. Merkel held the summit in Hamburg, her birthplace, to demonstrate Germany's openness and acceptance of peaceful protests. The event took place near a historic symbol of left-wing resistance, the "Rote Flora" theater, which was occupied by anti-capitalist squatters nearly thirty years ago. During the summit, violent protests erupted with radicals looting shops and setting fire to vehicles. Over 200 police officers were harmed, and approximately 143 individuals were arrested with 122 being detained. Significant destruction occurred while Merkel was entertaining other leaders with a concert and extravagant dinner at the Elbphilharmonie, a contemporary glass concert hall with views of the Elbe River. Following the summit, Merkel expressed gratitude towards the police and security forces and criticized the excessive violence displayed by some protestors. However, she faced challenging inquiries about choosing Hamburg as the summit location during the concluding press conference.