seth,

I take issue with your last sentence about energy illiterates. There is no evidence to suggest that Trump knows what either a watt or a joule is. Merkel, on the other hand, has a doctorate in physics and spent 12 years in physical chemistry research.  Merkel does understand energy issues. Merkel is regarded with respect by western leaders and the leaders of China and Russia. On the international stage Trump is almost universally regarded as a buffoon. He so far has managed only to isolate and humiliate the US on the international stage. Hopefully, he will do better at the G20 meeting but very few leaders of other countries expect Trump to make a positive contribution. Like these other leaders I hope to be pleasantly surprised by the US president's performance at the G20 meetings.

Merkel was chancellor when the decision was made to prematurely shut down the German nuclear fleet. Germany's people and elected representatives demanded the fleet closure. Democracy.