Merkel to meet Trump in mid-March

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will meet US President Donald Trump on March 14, the German government confirmed on Friday.

When asked about media reports of the Merkel-Trump meeting, German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said "we do not deny it", adding more details will be given at "appropriate time".

The White House on Friday also confirmed the visit. It will be Merkel's first trip to the US after Trump took office, Xinhua news agency reported.

Trump, during his election campaign, had publicly criticised Merkel and Germany's refugee policy as a "catastrophic failure" and "chaos".

The critics indicated a bumpy start for the ties between Berlin and Washington.

Last month, Merkel hosted the visit of US Vice President Mike Pence at Munich Security Conference, in the southeast German city.

Merkel then said world conflicts require "joint efforts", which was seen as a gentle reminder to Trump's unilateralism and anti-globalisation policies.

Trump is expected to visit Germany on July 7 and 8, attending the two-day the Group Twenty (G20) summit in Hamburg.

--IANS

lok/