Apr 27, 2018 - Politics & Policy

Photos: Angela Merkel's visit to the White House

Angela Merkel and President Trump deliver remarks. Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

German Chancellor Angela Merkel made her visit to the White House today where Trump lambasted NATO allies for their defense spending.

The visit came on the heels of French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit which was decidedly warmer for the majority of the time.

Merkel exchanged a double cheek-kiss with Trump upon her arrival at the White House Friday.

Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

The intrigue: The greeting indicates French President Emmanuel Macron's recent state visit is already bleeding into Merkel's time with Trump, as the traditional greeting is not as popular in German culture. The chancellor's visit comes as she is winding down from her prominent role in Germany and the European Union, Axios' Dave Lawler writes.

Angela Merkel greets the press upon her arrival at the White House.

Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Trump and Merkel sat down for a meeting in the Oval Office where the president said he is "not going to be played" ahead of peace talks with Kim Jong-un.

Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

Merkel and Trump speaking during the joint press conference.

Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Merkel and Trump shake hands during a joint news conference at the White House.

Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Go deeper

Dion Rabouin, author of Markets
5 mins ago - Economy & Business

Wall Street still prefers bonds

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Photo: Sunset Boulevard/Getty Contributor

Investors' return on U.S. corporate bonds has been falling since its August peak, but buying has only accelerated, especially in investment grade bonds that are offering historically low yields.

The state of play: Since hitting its 2020 high on Aug. 4, the benchmark Bloomberg Barclays U.S. bond aggregate has delivered a -2.2% return. (For comparison, the S&P 500 has gained 3.9% during the same time period.)

Go deeper (3 min. read)Arrow
Barak Ravid, author of from Tel Aviv
1 hour ago - World

U.S.-Israeli delegation secretly visits Sudan

Photo: Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images

A joint U.S.-Israeli delegation traveled secretly on Wednesday to Sudan for talks on a possible announcement on "ending the state of belligerence" between the countries that could be released in the next few days, sources briefed on the trip told me.

The big picture: President Trump announced earlier this week he is ready to remove Sudan from the U.S. state sponsors of terrorism list once Sudan pays $335 million in compensation to American terror victims.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow
Felix Salmon, author of Capital
2 hours ago - Economy & Business

A white-collar crime crackdown

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

America has waited a decade for an aggressive government crackdown on white-collar crime. Now, just before the election, and in the middle of a bull market, it has arrived.

Why it matters: When times are good, investors become more trusting and more greedy. That makes them more likely to put their money into fraudulent or criminal enterprises.

  • After a decade-long bull market, there is no shortage of those frauds to prosecute.
Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow