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The German leader is expected to chide the new US President over his anti-Brussels remarks as the pair discuss trade and security priorities in a crucial opening meeting. Fireworks could fly as the two powerful world leaders, who have absolutely nothing in common, try to overcome their differences and put trans-Atlantic relations back on a stable footing.

GETTY Angela Merkel will meet Donald Trump at the White House today

Mr Trump has repeatedly criticised his German counterpart in colourful terms, describing her migration policies as “catastrophic” and accusing the EU of being a “vehicle” for Berlin’s power. She in turn offered a scathing review of his controversial Muslim travel ban, saying it was “regrettable” and broke the Geneva Convention by discriminating against refugees.

GETTY The eurosceptic President has alarmed EU leaders with his remarks about their project

GETTY Mrs Merkel has previously criticised his Muslim travel ban

The pair were originally due to meet on Wednesday before cancelling due to a snowstorm, but the rolling thunder of a diplomatic crisis still seems perilously close between the two one-time allies. White House sources today struck a conciliatory tone and said the President was keen to hear Mrs Merkel, who grew up in east Germany, give her views on how to deal with the Russians. Mr Trump alarmed some world leaders on the campaign trail with his friendly rhetoric towards the Kremlin - since significantly dialled down - and his campaign has been blighted by accusations of links to Russian officials. The official said: “The president will be very interested in hearing the Chancellor’s views on her experience in interacting with Putin. “Of course she has been doing this for more than a decade. He’s going to be very interested in hearing her insights on what it’s like to deal with the Russians.”

I will of course point out that for us, our country and our membership in the European Union are two sides of the same coin Angela Merkel

But it is likely that he will want to avoid the thorny subject of EU integration which, despite some recent warmer remarks, the US leader is still implacably opposed to. But Mrs Merkel insisted that she will not let the White House chief avoid the elephant in the room, saying she was visiting the States more as an envoy of Brussels than of Berlin. Before stepping on the plane she told reporters: “I will of course point out that for us, our country and our membership in the European Union are two sides of the same coin.” The German leaders has been doing her homework on Mr Trump, apparently even swatting up on his old Playboy interviews, and has decided that a hard-nosed business approach is the best way to his heart. To that end she is taking the chief executives of big firms like BMW and Siemens with her on the trip, although they could just provide yet another flashpoint between the pair.

Has Merkel been captivated by Trudeau's good looks? Fri, February 17, 2017 German Chancellor Angela Merkel first met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over a candlelit dinner, we look at their blossoming relationship in pictures. Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 8 German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau chat prior to the meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission