According to sources, Trump praised Erdogan to the German chancellor, who then reminded him of Erdogan's recent criticisms of Germany and its allies. Trump seemed surprised and unaware of the ongoing diplomatic disagreement between Ankara and Berlin over Turkish ministers campaigning in Germany. The White House did not comment on the matter when asked. The German government has chosen not to make a statement, citing the private nature of the conversation. This discussion took place several weeks after Merkel visited Trump in Washington for the first time, highlighting the difficulties she faces in building a relationship with a president that multiple European officials described as unpredictable, unprepared, and prone to exaggeration. Six months after Trump's election and shortly 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 the uncertainty, there is a sense of relief that US foreign policy has not been drastically changed under Trump's leadership, as some had feared. It is noted that Trump is no longer stating that NATO is outdated. He has maintained a distance from Russia's Vladimir Putin and has not interfered in European politics or tried to weaken the European Union, except for a recent comment suggesting that an attack on policemen in Paris could benefit far-right leader Marine Le Pen in the French election. His National Security Adviser Mike Flynn, who caused controversy, has been fired and replaced by H.R. McMaster, who is considered to be a capable and stable leader. The influence of Steve Bannon, the White House adviser feared by Europeans, may be decreasing. Peter Wittig, the German ambassador to Washington, mentioned that there is currently a productive working relationship. However, there are still concerns among German officials about the president's character and policies, particularly regarding protectionism, despite a less confrontational approach towards China and the 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 Trump's sudden firing of FBI director James Comey indicates a tendency to make impulsive decisions on critical matters. Reports that he disclosed extremely sensitive information to the Russian foreign minister during a meeting in the Oval Office last week are expected to increase the level of skepticism in European capitals. One experienced German diplomat expressed concerns about the professionalism of Trump's team in foreign and security matters improving, but doubts about Trump's own character, maturity, and reliability have only intensified. Another German official emphasized the significant impact Trump has on his own administration. German Chancellor Angela Merkel faces a unique challenge due to the importance of her relationship with Trump. Germany depends greatly on the United States for its security and is concerned about the impact of a protectionist trade war on its export-driven economy. Chancellor Merkel will be hosting a challenging G20 summit in July, just before the upcoming election in Germany. The summit is expected to include a meeting between Trump and Putin, as well as appearances by Erdogan and Xi Jinping. Merkel has a long history of dealings with Putin and Erdogan, and has previously worked with two U.S. presidents prior to Trump. She developed a strong relationship with George W. Bush during his second term, which was characterized by a friendlier attitude towards Europe. Despite a rocky start with Barack Obama, as she initially denied him a chance to speak at the Brandenburg Gate during his 2008 campaign, the two eventually formed a close bond. Ahead of her meeting with Trump in Brussels on May 25, she will be appearing with Obama at the central Berlin landmark. Her aides recognize that Trump poses a unique challenge due to his unpredictable nature and uncertain stance towards Europe. Given his unpopularity in Germany, it is politically sensitive for her to establish too close of a relationship with him in an election year. However, there is a sense of contentment in Berlin that Merkel and Trump have started their relationship relatively smoothly, despite previous tensions. Both leaders have spoken on the phone four times since mid-March. The incident where Trump did not shake Merkel's hand during her visit has been downplayed by both sides. Merkel has made efforts to minimize tensions with Trump, even inviting his daughter Ivanka to a G20 women's summit in Berlin in April. They observe that Trump has not withdrawn from the Paris climate agreement, NAFTA, or the nuclear deal with Iran, despite his campaign promises to do so. Trump has stated that he will wait until after the G7 summit in late May to decide on the climate agreement, where Merkel and other European leaders are expected to strongly urge him to remain in the deal. According to a senior French official, there are indications that this administration can be swayed by influence. It is possible to engage with Trump's advisors and offer perspectives, as they may be more flexible and receptive to external opinions than previously believed. During Merkel's visit in March, she took the time to explain to Trump and his team how the European Union functioned, as reported by participants. After four hours of meetings, including a half-hour one-on-one session between the two leaders, a meeting with business executives, and a lunch, Trump abandoned his push for a bilateral trade deal with Germany and acknowledged that only an agreement with the EU was possible. Although German officials believe the chances of reviving TTIP are slim, they were pleased that Trump appeared willing to negotiate with the EU. They were also relieved that Trump was receptive to their input and proved to be a good listener. At the conclusion of the two-hour lunch, when aides reminded Trump it was time to leave for his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida for the weekend, he declined, stating that the discussion was progressing well and he needed to stay. Officials in the German chancellery were pleasantly surprised when, 10 days after the visit, Trump called Merkel to congratulate her on a surprise win for her party in the tiny state of Saarland - even if he used the call, one source said, to complain about "fake polls". The White House did not respond to a request for comment. The German government declined comment. German officials have been actively trying to communicate with various officials in Washington, including those in the White House and Congress. 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 numerous vacancies in the State Department since Trump's inauguration. However, it is also a way of hedging their bets, as the administration's decision-making process is unpredictable. According to Robin Niblett of Chatham House, it is risky to rely solely on one source of influence within the administration. Trump's behavior is inconsistent, with agreements one day and none the next. It is necessary to protect oneself and be prepared for sudden changes in circumstances.