Trump stands at the forefront of a new trend in mainstream Western politics, a populist challenge to the status quo anchored in ethnic nationalism. Merkel, on the other hand, is arguably the de facto guardian of the liberal order once authored by the United States. Although a center-right politician herself, she has set about defending international institutions as well as the broader politics of integration and tolerance now seemingly under assault from Trump and his far-right European counterparts.

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But Merkel arrives at the White House with a message of unity and collaboration. She will bring a number of CEOs of leading German companies in tow — a pro-trade agenda Trump certainly understands — and will stress the significance of the overall German-U.S. partnership, one that became particularly close during the tenure of former president Barack Obama.

"The chancellor comes to Washington with a very open mind-set and a constructive, pragmatic and forward-looking attitude," said Peter Wittig, Germany's ambassador in Washington, to The Washington Post. "We want to build on the strong relationship we’ve had over the past 70 years."

That’s easier said than done. Merkel has been under systematic attack from the far right in her own country, who lambasted her for welcoming over a million Syrian refugees and other migrants over the past couple of years. Trump echoed their criticisms on the campaign trail, describing Merkel's policies as a "disgrace" and a "disaster," and later suggested he would welcome the further unraveling of the European Union and consider slapping import penalties on German carmakers.

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On their first phone call of the Trump presidency, which came a day after the announcement of Trump's first (and failed) executive order on immigration, Merkel offered the new American president a gentle lecture on the international community's obligations to refugees. That didn't go down so well in a White House that sees a marked distinction between universal values and American interests.

"Don’t lecture us about values, about who we are and what we believe," a senior Trump adviser told my colleagues anonymously, in reference to Merkel’s phone call.

"Merkel’s challenge will be to counter Trump’s perception of reality without turning him against her," writes Politico’s Matthew Karnitschnig. That sounds tricky. But the White House and diplomatic press corps could remind Trump of certain realities when he and Merkel address a joint press conference Friday.

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Here are some awkward questions to pose the American president as he stands next to the German chancellor:

1. "Do you still stand by earlier comments that NATO is 'obsolete'? If so, would you consider withdrawing the tens of thousands U.S. troops stationed in Germany?"

2. "Chancellor Merkel has her own doubts about the issue of multiculturalism. But she still welcomed refugees. Is there a danger in confusing the two issues?"

3. "Your senior trade adviser, Peter Navarro, thinks Germany's trade surplus is a threat to America. Do you agree?"

4. "Given what you’ve said in the past, who do you view as a more reliable partner: Merkel or Russian President Vladimir Putin?"

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5. "When Chancellor Merkel and her colleagues express alarm over Russian meddling and interference in Europe, do you share their concern?"

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6. "Do you believe the project of European integration is worth defending? Do you understand why its success has been important to every previous American administration since World War II?"

7. "Do you think Chancellor Merkel is a ‘globalist,’ and what does that mean to you?"

8. "Chancellor Merkel is also worried about ‘fake news,’ but unlike you, doesn't apply that label to the mainstream media. She sees the threat coming from social-media bots, trolls and fringe fake-news sites. Do you agree the latter is a real problem?"

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9. "The outcome of this week's parliamentary elections in the Netherlands is being seen as a validation of the status quo and a rejection of Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders, who cheered you on. Chancellor Merkel has congratulated Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Have you?"

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10. "The U.S. men's national soccer team has benefited from an influx of German-born players as well as players from other immigrant communities. What would an America First soccer team look like?"

Sure, Today’s WorldView doesn’t presume any of these questions may come up, given the intense domestic news cycle in the United States. But it’s worth a try.