German Chancellor Angela Merkel successfully persuaded her fellow leaders to support a unified communique covering various topics such as trade, finance, energy, and Africa during a meeting in Hamburg, showcasing her mediation skills ahead of the upcoming German election. However, there was a clear division between President Trump, who advocates for "America First", and the other 19 members of the group, which includes countries like Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Argentina. Trump's recent decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate accord further highlighted this divide, with Merkel noting that negotiations on climate issues were particularly contentious due to the US's stance. She also mentioned that trade negotiations were challenging because of the specific positions taken by the US. The summit in Hamburg was marked by violent protests resulting in burning cars and broken shop windows, bringing together a mix of leaders during a period of significant change in global politics. Trump's shift towards a more unilateral and transactional approach to diplomacy has created uncertainty among traditional allies in Europe and allowed countries like China to step into a bigger role. Tensions between the US and China were a focal point leading up to the summit, with Trump pressuring President Xi Jinping on 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 overshadowed by accusations of Russian interference in the election and investigations into Trump associates' ties to Russia. Putin stated that Trump questioned him about the alleged meddling during a two-hour meeting, but appeared to accept Putin's denials of involvement in the meddling. Trump had previously accused Russia of engaging in destabilizing actions in Ukraine and Syria, but at the summit in Hamburg, he took a more conciliatory approach. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet with Putin and indicated, through Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, that he preferred to focus on future relations rather than dwell on past conflicts. Tillerson described the meeting as extremely important, noting a strong positive connection between Trump and Putin. The final communique acknowledged the US withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement as irreversible, while the US stated its commitment to collaborating with other countries to improve the use of fossil fuels. French President Emmanuel Macron took the lead in trying to tone down the language used by the United States. Thomas Bernes, a respected fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, pointed out the challenge of reaching a consensus without the involvement of the US, the world's largest economy. Jennifer Morgan, executive director of Greenpeace, commended the G19 for standing firm against President Trump's controversial choice to pull out of the Paris Agreement. The leaders agreed to oppose protectionism and unfair trade practices, while also acknowledging the importance of legitimate trade defense instruments. They also committed to collaborating on economic development in Africa, a key initiative for Merkel. Merkel deliberately chose to hold the summit in her birth city of Hamburg as a show of Germany's openness to the world and acceptance of peaceful protests. The summit took place near a well-known symbol of left-wing resistance, the "Rote Flora" theater, which was taken over by anti-capitalist squatters 30 years ago. Throughout the summit, violent protests occurred, including looting and arson. Over 200 police officers were harmed, 143 individuals were arrested, and 122 were detained. The most severe destruction occurred during a concert and extravagant dinner hosted by Merkel at the Elbphilharmonie, a contemporary glass concert hall with views of the Elbe River. After the summit, Merkel expressed gratitude to the police and security forces and criticized the excessive violence displayed by some protesters. However, she faced difficult inquiries regarding the decision to hold the summit in Hamburg during her concluding press conference.