Germany’s New Leader Merz to Meet Trump, Eyes Ukraine Talks/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met President Trump Thursday to align on Ukraine, trade, and defense. The visit aims to solidify transatlantic unity, ease tariff tensions, and boost Germany’s military investment. Merz hopes to avoid past U.S.-Germany clashes while defending European cooperation and democratic norms.
Trump-Merz Oval Office Meeting: Quick Looks
- Meeting Details: Trump and Merz met Thursday for talks, lunch, and press briefings.
- Key Topics: Ukraine war, NATO defense spending, trade imbalances, and U.S.-EU relations.
- Tone Shift: Merz aims to reset German-U.S. ties after Merkel-era tensions.
- Ukraine Strategy: Merz pushes unity against Russia, opposes “dictated peace,” and supports missile tech for Kyiv.
- Military Spending: Trump wants 5% GDP defense spend; Germany currently meets 2% with a temporary fund.
- Tariff Pressure: Trump criticizes German auto trade surplus; Merz calls tariffs damaging to all.
- Economic Stakes: German economy struggling; U.S. market vital for exports.
- Far-Right Flashpoint: Merz criticized VP Vance’s remarks on Germany’s treatment of right-wing opposition.
Deep Look: Trump and German Chancellor Merz Discuss Ukraine, NATO, and Trade in Washington
WASHINGTON (AP) — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with President Donald Trump in the White House on Thursday, launching a diplomatic mission to secure U.S. alignment on Ukraine, cool brewing trade disputes, and signal Berlin’s stronger commitment to military investment.
The Oval Office talks — Merz’s first in-person meeting with Trump since taking office in May — mark a critical early test of the German leader’s ability to preserve European unity and influence the White House’s evolving foreign policy agenda.
The visit included an 11:30 a.m. greeting, an 11:45 a.m. meeting, and a 12:15 p.m. working lunch, according to the White House. Officials say the two leaders also texted and spoke frequently in recent weeks.
Setting a New Tone After Merkel
Merz, a 69-year-old conservative and longtime Merkel rival, has taken a notably different tone with Trump than his predecessor. German officials describe a “decent” rapport forming between the two — a far cry from the fraught Merkel-Trump dynamic that defined Trump’s first term.
“The chancellor is well-prepared,” said Merz spokesperson Stefan Kornelius. “We are determined to build mutual trust.”
Trump, a Republican, remains focused on issues that fueled past transatlantic tensions: NATO spending, trade deficits, and ideological values. A senior U.S. official previewing the meeting said Trump would raise concerns about “democratic backsliding” in Germany, referencing curbs on free expression and political pluralism.
Unity on Ukraine — With Conditions
Ukraine dominated the agenda. Merz emphasized the need for Western unity, describing the war as a defining issue for transatlantic relations. He reiterated his opposition to any peace deal that would “subjugate Ukraine” or reward Russian aggression.
Trump has demanded direct peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow. In their first phone call after Merz’s swearing-in, the two agreed on the need for negotiations but remained split on timelines and conditions.
“We must not allow the West to divide,” Merz said last month. “Only unity will bring peace and stability.”
Germany remains Ukraine’s second-largest military supporter after the U.S., and Merz pledged to help Kyiv develop long-range missile systems unrestricted by current treaties.
NATO Spending: A New Push
Trump has consistently attacked European allies for underinvesting in NATO. During his first term, he singled out Germany for failing to meet the 2% of GDP benchmark.
Under Merz, Berlin is signaling a shift. He endorsed a proposal for NATO allies to target 3.5% in defense spending by 2032, plus another 1.5% on security-related infrastructure — a plan that exceeds the current baseline.
Germany’s defense budget is temporarily boosted by a €100 billion ($115 billion) modernization fund created under former Chancellor Olaf Scholz, but that fund is expected to run out by 2027.
“The Bundeswehr will become the strongest conventional army in Europe,” Merz declared last month.
Trade and Economic Headwinds
With Germany’s economy in a two-year slump, Merz is eager to protect its $160 billion export flow to the U.S. — particularly in the auto industry, a top Trump target.
Germany sells about $36 billion in vehicles and parts to the U.S. annually, far outpacing the $10 billion the U.S. exports to Germany. Trump’s 25% tariff on autos and parts is designed to pressure German companies to shift production stateside — despite the fact that BMW, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz already operate major U.S. plants.
Merz called tariffs “a threat to all sides” but acknowledged he has limited leverage: EU trade policy is handled in Brussels.
A planned 50% EU tariff hike was recently postponed by Trump, offering a temporary window for diplomacy.
Cultural and Political Frictions
Relations have also been tested by Vice President JD Vance’s controversial speech in Munich, where he criticized Germany’s “firewall” policy — the refusal of mainstream parties to collaborate with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
Merz dismissed the comments as inappropriate.
“It is not the role of a U.S. vice president to make such statements about our internal political arrangements,” he told ARD last month.
The AfD, which finished second in Germany’s February elections, remains a flashpoint in both domestic and international politics.
A Reset in Transatlantic Relations?
Both leaders appear eager to avoid a return to the strained tone of the Merkel years. Trump has called Merz “a businessman’s chancellor,” and Merz is banking on that common ground to build a new working relationship — even as sharp policy differences remain.
“This visit is about more than optics,” said one German diplomat. “It’s about safeguarding the alliance — and economic self-interest, too.”
As Trump looks to reshape American foreign policy and prepare for re-election, Merz’s balancing act could determine whether Germany remains a reliable partner or a recurring target.
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