Trump, Merkel talk job training

In his opening remarks, Trump said that "training our workforce for the 21st century" was a top priority, adding that "we want to make sure we have the workforce development programs we need to ensure these jobs are being filled by American workers."

The conversation was focused on vocational training and workforce development, not on the thornier issues of international trade.

Attending for the administration were Trump adviser — and Ivanka Trump's husband — Jared Kushner, White House economic adviser Gary Cohn, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, chief of staff Reince Priebus and Dina Powell, who is expected to soon be named deputy national security adviser for strategy.