According to sources, Trump described Erdogan as a great person to the German chancellor. However, Merkel pointed out that Erdogan had been criticizing Germany and its European allies for weeks, calling them descendents of Nazis. Trump was reportedly surprised and unaware of the ongoing diplomatic dispute between Ankara and Berlin over Turkish ministers campaigning in Germany. The White House did not provide a comment when asked about the situation. The German government chose not to comment on the call due to its confidential nature. This conversation took place shortly after Merkel's initial meeting with Trump in Washington, highlighting the difficulties she faces in building a relationship with a president described by multiple European officials as unpredictable, unprepared, and prone to exaggeration. 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 cities are still uncertain about the Trump administration's stance on key issues. Despite this uncertainty, there is a sense of relief that US foreign policy has not drastically changed during his early months in office, with Trump no longer labeling NATO as obsolete. He has maintained a distance from Russia's Vladimir Putin. Despite one instance where he implied that an attack in Paris would benefit a far-right leader, Trump has not interfered in European affairs or tried to weaken the European Union. His National Security Adviser Mike Flynn was fired and replaced by H.R. McMaster, who is considered to be knowledgeable and reliable. The impact of Steve Bannon, the White House adviser that Europeans are most concerned about, may be decreasing. Peter Wittig, the German ambassador to Washington, stated that there is now a productive working relationship, but there are still lingering questions about the president's character and policies on various issues. German officials are concerned about a possible shift to protectionism under Trump, despite his less aggressive approach towards China and his decision to abandon plans for a border adjustment tax. European diplomats are worried about the absence of a clear U.S. strategy on Syria, and some believe that the sudden firing of FBI director James Comey indicates that Trump is capable of making hasty decisions on significant matters. Reports that he shared top-secret information with the Russian foreign minister during a meeting in the Oval Office last week are expected to increase the level of mistrust in European capitals. One experienced German diplomat noted that concerns about the competence of Trump's team in foreign and security matters have lessened, but doubts about Trump himself, including his personality, maturity, and reliability, have intensified. Another German official emphasized the significant impact that Trump has on his own administration. German Chancellor Angela Merkel faces a particularly challenging situation due to her reliance on the relationship with the US. Germany heavily depends on the United States for its security and there is a risk that a protectionist trade war could harm its export-driven economy. In July, just before the upcoming election in Germany, Chancellor Merkel will face a challenging G20 summit in Hamburg where President Trump is expected to meet with President Putin for the first time. Turkish President Erdogan and China's President Xi Jinping will also be in attendance. Merkel has had tense relationships with Putin and Erdogan for more than ten years and has previously worked with two U.S. presidents before Trump. She developed a strong relationship with George W. Bush during his second term, which was favorable towards Europe. Despite a rocky beginning with Barack Obama when she did not allow him to speak at the Brandenburg Gate in 2008, they eventually formed a close connection. Prior to meeting with Trump in Brussels on May 25th, she will be seen with Obama at the central Berlin landmark. Her team recognizes that Trump poses a different kind of challenge due to his unpredictable behavior and uncertain stance on Europe. He is not well-liked in Germany, which makes it politically sensitive for her to align herself too closely with him during an election year. Nonetheless, there is a feeling of contentment in Berlin regarding the relatively smooth beginning of the relationship between Merkel and Trump. Despite previous tensions, the two leaders have spoken multiple times on the phone and have downplayed past incidents, such as Trump's failure to shake Merkel's hand during her visit. German officials have noted Merkel's efforts to reduce tensions with Trump, including inviting his daughter Ivanka to a G20 women's summit in April. They observe that Trump has not withdrawn from the Paris climate agreement, NAFTA, or the nuclear deal with Iran, as he had promised during his presidential campaign. Trump has stated that he will not make a decision regarding the climate agreement until after the G7 summit in late May, where Merkel and other European leaders are anticipated to strongly encourage him to remain in the agreement. A senior French official mentioned that there are indications that this administration can be influenced, as you can communicate with the individuals close to Trump and provide input. They may be more adaptable and receptive to external perspectives than previously believed. During Merkel's visit in March, she spent a significant amount of time explaining to Trump and his team how the European Union operates, as reported by participants. After four hours of meetings, which included a half-hour one-on-one 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. German officials recognize that the chances of reviving TTIP, the transatlantic trade agreement that Europe attempted to finalize with Obama, are slim. However, they were pleased that Trump appeared willing to negotiate with the EU and were reassured by his attentive listening. At the end of a two-hour lunch, when the president's aides reminded him it was time to leave for his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida for the weekend, he declined, stating that the conversation was progressing well and his departure would have to wait. German officials in the chancellery were pleasantly surprised when Trump called Merkel 10 days after her visit to congratulate her on a surprise win for her party in Saarland. Despite using the call to discuss "fake polls," the White House did not respond to requests for comment. 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. For example, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble met with Trump's economic adviser Gary Cohn during the spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank last month. His deputy Jens Spahn went to the White House and met with Bannon and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. German officials believe this outreach is crucial due to key positions in the State Department still being vacant over three months into Trump's presidency. It is also a way of being cautious, as nobody can predict who Trump will be influenced by on any given day. Robin Niblett, director of the London think tank Chatham House, stated, "You simply can't afford to put all your eggs in one basket with this administration." Trump's behavior is unpredictable - one day he may agree to something, but the next day he may not. It is important to protect yourself and be cautious, as he can change his mind suddenly and leave you in a difficult situation.