THE GERMAN CHANCELLORSHIP AND THE E.U.German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the leader of the International Monetary Fund Christine Lagarde are on talking terms, even if their understanding of policy is different. Merkel is a full believer in austerity measures that drain countries in need of important social assistance funds for one, because her German electorate overall doesn't take to helping in the bailout of nations kindly, while Lagarde believes that growth should be sustained for harder put European nations and that the pool of aid should be increased to discourage speculators. The two have already exchanged some gifts: Merkel has given Lagarde a recording of Beethoven by the Berlin Philharmonic, since she is a lover of classical music, while Lagarde has given Merkel a Hermes trinket. Merkel has other ideas for gifts if the friendship progresses: year-old apple strudel, a packet of Get Well cards bought at a discount for Lagarde to send to countries in trouble, a subscription to circular coupon delivery services and a membership at Costcos.