REUTERS Donald Trump and Angela Merkel no longer hold a special relationship

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Four years ago, her Christian Democratic Union (CDU) alliance referred to the US - then under Barack Obama - as Germany's “most important friend” outside of Europe. And the German Chancellor later described the “friendship” with Washington as a “cornerstone” of foreign and trade policies.

But as she launched her election manifesto last night, Ms Merkel dramatically scaled this back as she instead referred to the US as Germany’s “most important partner” in a damning blow. The comments come as Angela Merkel prepares to host the G20 summit in Hamburg this weekend, in which Donald Trump is expected to clash with other guests over trade, economic co-operation and climate change. READ MORE: Merkel hails 'BEST GERMANY EVER' as she celebrates her achievements and launches manifesto

REUTERS Ms Merkel prepares to host the G20 summit in Hamburg this weekend

The pair are due to meet on Thursday ahead of the summit, to discuss combating terrorism as well as funding United Nations peace keeping missions. But Ms Merkel does not seem to be optimistic about the talks. She said: “We know certain positions that the American government holds and I don't expect that these positions will be abandoned as a result of a two-day trip to Hamburg.”

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The shock change in wording to describe the relationship highlights the divide between Ms Merkel and President Trump since he took office in January this year. In May, the German chancellor warned Germany could no longer “completely depend” on the US as a consistent partner. And last week she told Germany's Parliament she’s ready to confront President Trump about climate at the upcoming summit, after he pulled out of the Paris agreement earlier this year.

REUTERS Angela Merkel once said the US was Germany's “most important friend”