*Administration of Donald J. Trump, 2018 *

**Remarks Following a Pull-Aside Meeting With Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and an Exchange With Reporters in Brussels, Belgium **

*July 11, 2018 *

*President Trump.* We're having a great meeting. We're discussing military expenditure. We're talking about trade. We have a very, very good relationship with the Chancellor. We have a tremendous relationship with Germany. They've made tremendous—you've had tremendous success, and I congratulate you. Tremendous success. And I believe that our trade will increase, and lots of other things will increase. But we'll see what happens over the next period of a few months. Yes.

*Chancellor Merkel.* Well, let me say that I am very pleased, indeed, to have this opportunity here for this exchange of views. And indeed, we had an opportunity to have an exchange about economic developments, on issues such as migration, and also the future of our trade relations.

We also briefly touched upon the upcoming trips of the President. And let me say that I'm very much looking forward to further extending our exchanges in the future and enhancing them. I think that it's very important to have those exchanges together, because after all, we are partners, we are good partners, and we wish to continue to cooperate in the future.

*President Trump.* Okay, thank you very much, everybody. Thank you.

*Nord Stream 2 Russia-Germany Natural Gas Pipeline *

*Q. *Mr. President, did you discuss the gas pipeline—[*inaudible*]?

*President Trump.* Yes. Yes.

*Nord Stream 2 Russia-Germany Natural Gas Pipeline *

*Q*. And can you tell us—[*inaudible*]?

*Q. *Chancellor Merkel, are you okay with what the President said this morning?

*President Trump.* We did discuss that. Thank you very much. Thank you.

NOTE: The President spoke at 3:45 p.m. at North Atlantic Treaty Organization Headquarters. Chancellor Merkel spoke in German, and her remarks were translated by an interpreter.

*Categories:* Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters :: Brussels, Belgium; Meetings With Foreign Leaders and International Officials : Germany, Chancellor Merkel*.*

*Locations: *Brussels, Belgium.

*Names:* Merkel, Angela*.*

*Subjects:* Belgium : President Trump’s visit; Germany : Chancellor; Germany : Natural gas, pipelines from Russia; Germany : Relations with U.S.; Germany : Trade with U.S.

*DCPD Number:* DCPD201800479.