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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to visit Washington on Thursday for his first official meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump since taking office on May 6, 2025. The trip, confirmed by both German and U.S. officials on Saturday, underscores ongoing strains in U.S.-EU relations, particularly over trade and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Merz, a prominent figure in the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), succeeds Olaf Scholz and brings a pro-business and transatlantic-focused agenda to Berlin. His upcoming meeting with Trump will be closely watched for any signs of policy shifts or renewed cooperation between two of the world’s largest economies.
Tensions between the United States and Europe have escalated in recent months, with disagreements over trade tariffs, defense spending, and strategies for addressing the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO allies, including Germany, for not meeting defense spending commitments, while Europe has expressed concerns over U.S. protectionist trade measures.
Merz's visit aims to reaffirm Germany’s commitment to NATO and transatlantic unity, while also addressing growing economic concerns in Europe due to inflation, energy instability, and global market volatility. His government is expected to push for stronger collaboration with the U.S. on both security and economic fronts.
The visit comes just days after Merz attended the International Charlemagne Prize ceremony in Aachen, where he emphasized democratic values and European cooperation. As he heads to Washington, analysts anticipate key discussions around trade, defense, Ukraine, and energy policy.
Merz’s U.S. trip could mark a critical step in recalibrating the German-American alliance during a period of geopolitical uncertainty and shifting global power dynamics.
