According to sources, Trump praised Erdogan to the German chancellor, who then mentioned Erdogan's recent criticisms of Germany and its allies. Trump seemed unaware of the ongoing diplomatic tensions between Ankara and Berlin over Turkish ministers campaigning in Germany. The White House did not provide a comment on the matter. The German government chose not to comment on the situation due to the private nature of the call. This conversation took place shortly after Merkel visited Trump in Washington, highlighting the difficulties she faces in establishing a relationship with a president that several European officials have described as unpredictable, unprepared, and prone to extreme rhetoric. Six months after Trump's election and just over a week before his first trip to Europe as president, officials in Berlin and other European capitals remain uncertain about the Trump administration's stance on key issues. Despite this uncertainty, there is a sense of relief that Trump has not drastically altered US foreign policy as some had feared since taking office. Trump has also changed his stance on NATO, no longer considering it obsolete. He has maintained a distance from Russia's Vladimir Putin and has not interfered in European politics or tried to weaken the European Union, aside from a recent comment linking an attack in Paris to far-right leader Marine Le Pen. His National Security Adviser Mike Flynn was fired and replaced by H.R. McMaster, who is perceived as reliable. The influence of Steve Bannon, a White House adviser feared by Europeans, may be decreasing. Peter Wittig, the German ambassador to Washington, stated that there is now a positive working relationship. However, there are still concerns about the president's character and policies on various issues. German officials are particularly worried about a potential move towards protectionism under Trump, despite his softer approach towards China and his decision to abandon plans for a border adjustment tax. European diplomats are also troubled by what they see as a lack of a clear U.S. strategy on Syria, and some have pointed to the sudden firing of FBI director James Comey as evidence of Trump's tendency to make impulsive decisions on crucial matters. The reports of him sharing sensitive information with Russia's foreign minister during a meeting in the Oval Office are likely to increase distrust in European capitals. A veteran German diplomat stated that doubts about the professionalism of Trump's team in foreign and security policy have decreased, but doubts about Trump himself have increased. Another German official emphasized the influence Trump has on his administration, calling it a unique challenge. German Chancellor Merkel has a lot at stake in the relationship with Trump. Germany heavily depends on the United States for its security, and any reciprocal protectionist actions could harm its economy, which is reliant on exports. In July, just before the upcoming election in Germany, Merkel will host a challenging G20 summit in Hamburg, where Trump is set to meet Putin for the first time. Erdogan and Xi Jinping will also attend the summit. Merkel has had disputes with Putin and Erdogan for more than ten years and has collaborated with two U.S. presidents prior to Trump. She developed a strong relationship with George W. Bush during his second term, which was seen as favorable to Europe. Despite a rocky start with Barack Obama, they eventually formed a close bond. Before meeting with Trump in Brussels on May 25, she will be appearing with Obama in central Berlin. Trump's unpredictability and mixed feelings towards Europe pose a unique challenge for her, as he is unpopular in Germany and it could be politically difficult for her to align too closely with him during an election year. Despite previous tensions, there is a sense of satisfaction in Berlin that Merkel and Trump have had a relatively smooth start to their relationship. They have spoken on the phone multiple times since their initial meeting, and both sides have downplayed previous incidents, such as Trump's failure to shake Merkel's hand. German officials have noted Merkel's efforts to minimize tensions with Trump, including inviting his daughter Ivanka to a G20 women's summit in Berlin. They observe that Trump has not followed through on his promises to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, NAFTA, or the nuclear deal with Iran, which he had threatened to do during his presidential campaign. Trump has indicated that he will wait until after the G7 summit in late May to make a decision on the climate agreement, with European leaders, including Merkel, expected to strongly advocate for him to remain in the agreement. A senior French official stated that there are indications that the current administration can be influenced, as individuals close to Trump are willing to listen to outside perspectives and may be more flexible than previously believed. During Merkel's visit in March, she spent a considerable amount of time explaining to Trump and his team how the European Union operated. After four hours of meetings, which included a private discussion between the two leaders, a meeting with business executives, and a lunch, Trump abandoned his push for a bilateral trade agreement with Germany and acknowledged that only a deal with the EU was feasible. While German officials were doubtful about the possibility of reviving the TTIP, they were pleased that Trump appeared willing to negotiate with the EU and demonstrated good listening skills. Despite reminders from his aides to leave for his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump decided to delay his departure as he felt the discussions were progressing well. Officials in the German chancellery were pleasantly surprised when, 10 days after their visit, Trump called Merkel to congratulate her on a surprise win for her party in the small state of Saarland - although he did bring up "fake polls" during the call, according to one source. The White House did not respond to a request for comment, and the German government also declined to comment. In recent months, German officials have been actively reaching out to various officials in Washington, including those in the White House and Congress. German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble had a meeting with Trump's economic adviser Gary Cohn during the spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank last month. His deputy Jens Spahn visited the White House and met with Bannon and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. German officials emphasize the importance of this outreach as key positions in the State Department are still vacant after more than three months since Trump's inauguration. This move is seen as a precautionary measure, as there is uncertainty about who Trump may be influenced by today and in the future. According to Robin Niblett, director of the London-based think tank Chatham House, it is risky to rely solely on one relationship with this administration. Trump's behavior can be unpredictable - one day he may agree to something and the next day he may not. It is important to protect yourself and be prepared for sudden changes, as he can turn on you unexpectedly.