Germany

President Donald Trump will meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel later this month for a full and frank discussion about Germany’s failed immigration policies. Trump, who has repeatedly attacked Merkel for “destroying Germany,” will meet with the German leader on March 14 in Washington. The Express reports: The pair haven’t got off to the best start after President Trump blasted the beleaguered German leader for “ruining” Germany over her open door refugee policy. They will meet on March 14, according to US officials.

World stocks pulled back from all time highs, and European bourses initially followed U.S. futures and Asian shares lower, however both European risk sentiment as well as E-Minis rebounded after an Odoxa poll showed Macron overtaking Le Pen in the 1st round for the first time, and that the addition of Juppe instead of Fillon may see a 2nd round run-off between Macron vs Juppe, leading to a slump in Bund futures to session lows, and a bounce in European stocks.

Via Michael Shedlock of MishTalk.com,

Eurozone headline inflation hit two percent this week, and that has the inflation hawks in Germany screaming.

Yet, ECB president Mario Draghi has promised to maintain QE asset purchases, and Italy has no other real buyer for its bonds.

What’s Draghi to do?

Headline Inflation Hits Two Percent

A milestone.

 

This is a savage assault upon Merkel, delivered with fierce Marine Le Pen -- who called Germany a 'servant to America.' I've never seen anything quite like it, frankly. It bordered on sabre rattling before a declaration of war.

Le Pen emphatically rejected the subjugation and 'vassilisation' of Europe by Germany -- declaring her intentions to break off from it -- representative of an 'intelligent protectionism', individual liberties and defense of safety and identity.

The leaders of the lower chambers of parliament of Germany, Italy, France, and Luxembourg have called for a European “Federal Union” in an open letter published in Italian newspaper La Stampa on Sunday.