Trump's election campaign insults complicate Merkel visit
US president Donald Trump is welcoming German chancellor Angela Merkel to the White House after having spent much much of 2016 criticising her - accusing her of "ruining" Germany by allowing an influx of refugees from Syria.
The leaders of the western world's most influential counties will meet face-to-face for the first time in Washington on Friday.
The White House said the agenda includes discussions on strengthening Nato, fighting Islamic State and resolving Ukraine's conflict - all matters which require close co-operation between the US and Germany.
The meeting will be capped with a joint news conference.
The sit-down talks could mark the start of a more cordial relationship, as Mr Trump has adopted a more diplomatic stance in his meetings with world leaders since he took office.
