Obama to pass torch to Merkel on farewell visit

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Yahoo News:

Berlin (AFP) - US President Barack Obama paid a farewell visit on Thursday to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, seen by some as the new standard bearer of liberal democracy since the election of Donald Trump.

 

On the last leg of his final European tour as president, Obama aimed to ease fears about the future of the transatlantic partnership and thank Merkel for her friendship during his two terms, White House officials said.

 

In a joint article to coincide with his arrival in Germany, Obama and Merkel appealed for ongoing cooperation on the basis of shared principles to fight climate change, ensure collective defence within NATO, and promote free trade.

 

"These values of democracy, justice and freedom form the foundation of our successful economies," they wrote in business magazine Wirtschaftswoche.

 

"We owe it to our industries and our peoples -- indeed, to the global community -- to broaden and deepen our cooperation," they said, in a swat at the "America First" rhetoric favoured by Trump.

 

As Western leaders brace for potentially radical changes with Trump moving into the Oval Office in January, Obama wrapped up a visit to Athens on Wednesday warning that globalisation required a "course correction" to keep voters from drifting to extremes.

 

"When we see people, global elites, wealthy corporations seemingly living by a different set of rules, avoiding taxes, manipulating loopholes... this feeds a profound sense of injustice," he said.

 

After Trump's shock victory, Merkel -- the leader of Europe's top economic power -- expressed a desire to maintain close ties with Washington.

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Her world order?