Merkel arrives facing an uphill struggle to save the Iran nuclear deal, avoid a trade war and make her relationship with the US president functional again.

The German leader’s visit has already been overshadowed by a backslapping three-day festival of “fraternité” between Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron this week.

Aware of the optics, anxious German diplomats pressed — in vain — for Merkel to enjoy a similarly meaty two days at the White House, betting the face time would help sweeten difficult relations, officials told AFP.

But the visit got off to a surprisingly warm start, and the body language showed. The two leaders exchanged kisses on the cheek as Merkel emerged from her limousine, and Trump then praised her as “an extraordinary woman” as they sat together in the Oval Office.

“We actually have had a great relationship right from the beginning but some people didn’t understand that,” Trump told reporters. “But we understand it, and that’s what’s important.”