Donald Trump showered German Chancellor Angela Merkel with praise at the G7 Summit – and said he wants to visit Germany soon.

“She is a brilliant woman, and she understands exactly where everything is, she knows it before most people,” said Trump, as he sat next to Merkel during the public part of a bilateral meeting at the G7 summit in Biarritz, France, on Monday.

The comments came during a relaxed reunion between the pair. It’s a stark contrast to previous meetings when relations have appeared frosty.

After Trump was asked about the G7 losing its only female leader, Merkel said in English: “I’m still here,” prompting laughs from reporters.

Trump then predicted that the Chancellor, who plans to step down from politics after her term ends in 2021, may surprise everyone and might be around “for a long time”.

When asked by a reporter if the Chancellor had invited Trump to Berlin, Merkel said she had done so “on previous occasions”.

Trump then said he is planning to “maybe soon” go to Germany for a state visit, before adding that, in fact, he would “very soon” visit the country.

He said he feels “very honoured” by the invitation he had received from Merkel.

“I have German in my blood,” he added – at which point Merkel flat out snorted/

When asked if he would visit Germany as part of his upcoming visit to Poland, Trump said: “I haven’t thought of that but it could happen,” before adding: “It’s a little soon.”

WATCH:

Trump: I have German in my blood
Merkel: Snorts loudly. 😉

Enjoy as she hardly stops her Laughing 😀 pic.twitter.com/TsFZ5SURdV

— ((Shehzad Younis)) (@shehzadyounis) August 27, 2019