German Chancellor Angela Merkel successfully convinced her fellow leaders at the meeting in Hamburg to support a single communique covering various topics such as trade, finance, energy, and Africa, showcasing her mediation skills ahead of the German election. However, the divide between President Trump, who prioritizes "America First", and the other 19 members of the group was evident. Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord further highlighted this divide, leading to protests by Greenpeace activists at the G20 summit. Merkel noted that the negotiations on climate ultimately showed disagreement, particularly with the United States. Greenpeace activists protested at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany by displaying a large statue of US President Donald Trump in front of the Elbphilharmonie concert hall on July 7, 2017. The summit was marked by difficult trade negotiations, which were attributed to the United States' specific positions. The event brought together a diverse group of leaders during a time of significant shifts in global politics. Trump's more unilateral approach to diplomacy has created uncertainty among traditional allies in Europe and allowed countries like China to play a larger role on the world stage. Tensions between the US and China were a major focus leading up to the summit, with the Trump administration pressuring President Xi Jinping on issues like North Korea and threatening trade sanctions. Trump and Putin met for the first time in Hamburg, an eagerly awaited meeting following Trump's campaign promise to improve relations with Moscow. However, this was overshadowed by allegations of Russian interference in the election and investigations into Trump associates' connections to Russia. Putin denied any meddling during a two-hour meeting with Trump, which seemed to satisfy the US President. Despite Trump's previous criticism of Russia's actions in Ukraine and Syria, he took a more conciliatory approach in Hamburg, stating that it was an honor to meet Putin and indicating a desire to focus on future relations rather than past issues. During their bilateral meeting at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany on July 7, 2017, Russia's President Vladimir Putin engaged in discussions with US President Donald Trump. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson described the meeting as highly significant, noting a positive chemistry between Trump and the former KGB agent. Trump appeared satisfied with Putin's denials of poll meddling. The final communique acknowledged the US decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord, deeming it irreversible. The United States also expressed intentions to collaborate with other nations to improve access and use of fossil fuels in a cleaner and more efficient manner, a statement that was contested by French President Emmanuel Macron. Thomas Bernes, a distinguished fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, mentioned that there is a clear consensus among countries other than the United States, but highlighted the issue of not having the largest economy in the world on board. Jennifer Morgan, executive director at Greenpeace, commended the G19 for standing up against Trump's decision to withdraw from Paris. The leaders also agreed to combat protectionism and unfair trade practices, while acknowledging the importance of legitimate trade defense instruments. The leaders have also promised to collaborate in order to promote economic growth in Africa, a key initiative for Merkel. To demonstrate Germany's openness to the world and its acceptance of peaceful protests, Merkel decided to host the summit in Hamburg, her birthplace. The summit took place near the "Rote Flora," a former theatre that has become a symbol of left-wing resistance after being occupied by anti-capitalist squatters almost thirty years ago. During the G20 summit in Hamburg on July 8, 2017, a protester threw a bottle at riot police. Throughout the summit, extremists vandalized stores, set fire to cars and trucks. Over 200 police officers were injured, 143 people were arrested, and 122 were taken into custody during the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany on July 8, 2017. A protester threw a bottle at riot police during the demonstrations. The most severe damage occurred while German Chancellor Merkel hosted a concert and dinner for other leaders at the Elbphilharmonie. Merkel later met with police and security forces to express her gratitude and condemned the excessive violence of certain protesters. However, she faced criticism during her closing press conference for choosing Hamburg as the summit location.