Pressing German-US issues as Merkel meets with Biden

Angela Merkel’s farewell visit to the White House was shadowed Thursday by pressing issues as well as good will, as she met with Joe Biden to discuss differences over a major Russian pipeline and their nations’ views on China as a rising global power.

The German chancellor, who is not seeking another term in September elections, is nearing the end of a political career that has spanned four American presidencies. And as she prepares to leave office, there are concerns on both sides about how they will negotiate growing disagreements.

In a brief exchange with reporters in the Oval Office, both sides sought to play down the differences.