Annual critical encounter Merz tackles
Title: New Kid on the Block: Merz's First Tango with Trump at the White House
Hop on the BandwagonTrump and Germany's new Federal Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, are getting ready for a significant rendezvous at the White House this coming Thursday. This meeting is slated to be Merz's most important overseas visit during his tenure so far. If things go well, it could pave the way for smoother sailing on contentious matters such as Ukraine, NATO, tariffs, and Gaza.
The DancefloorKey topics under discussion are likely to include the ongoing attempts to end the Ukraine conflict, NATO's strategy amid escalating external threats, and ongoing trade disputes between the US and the EU. Merz has made it clear he's not going to Washington as a supplicant, but rather to assert European viewpoints confidently[1]. Concrete results, however, may not be forthcoming at this initial meeting.
Small Talk 101The two leaders have met only briefly some years ago in New York[1]. Since Merz took office four weeks prior, they've spoken on the phone four times – once one-on-one and thrice in larger groups about the Ukraine war[1]. Merz now possesses Trump's phone number and communicates with him via text[1]. Since their last phone call, they've started addressing each other by their first names, Friedrich and Donald[1].
The First DanceMerz will only be in Washington for 24 hours[1]. He'll depart on Wednesday evening following a dinner with state prime ministers in Berlin[1]. At the meeting with the heads of state on Thursday, he'll be represented by Chancellor of the Chancellery Thorsten Frei[1]. The evening before, Merz is expected to arrive in Washington, spend the night in the President's guest house, which is deemed a special honor[1]. The next day, a one-on-one conversation with Trump and a subsequent lunch are planned, followed by a press conference[1].
Dancing with the StarsTrump has welcomed a number of heads of state and government since his inauguration in January, including French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni[2]. However, two visits stand out: those by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who were prominently showcased in the Oval Office with rolling cameras[2].
And the Winner is...Calm and collected, Merz seems ready for the big dance. He's been seeking advice from various heads of state and government who have previously encountered Trump, including Zelenskyy, Ramaphosa, Meloni, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb[1].
The Big QuestionWhat will the crux of their conversation revolve around? Judging by the times, it appears the war in Ukraine will take center stage, with Merz pushing Trump to intensify pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to a ceasefire[1][3]. The Americans and Europeans are aware that their collective efforts could be the key to impressing Putin[3].
A Dance of OppositesTrump has recently hinted that Vladimir Putin could be leading them both by the nose[3]. Before Merz and Trump meet, a further Russian-Ukrainian round of talks is scheduled for Monday in Istanbul[3], which could provide insights into the likelihood of an approximation between the two sides. In addition to Ukraine, negotiations regarding the trade dispute with the US will likely also be discussed[3].
[1] Merz and Trump: A New Beginning? (accessed on June 4, 2025).[2] Donald Trump and Friedrich Merz: A Dance of Diplomacy (accessed on June 4, 2025).[3] A Closer Look at the Upcoming Merz-Trump Meeting (accessed on June 4, 2025).
The European Union has a responsibility to ensure that the EU's foreign policy, particularly regarding Ukraine, NATO, tariffs, and Gaza, is implemented consistently with the principles of the European Union. This discussion around these key topics is expected during the politics-laden meeting between Merz and Trump, a general news event that marks Merz's first formal engagement with the American leader.
