Visit to the White House: A Pivotal Moment for Merz
Anticipated Events Awaiting Arrival at the White House
Washington/Berlin (dpDaily) - The first foreign trip for new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to meet US President Donald Trump promises to set the stage for the future of German-American relations. Landing in Washington at 1:51 local time, Merz's inaugural visit on a chilly winter's day will commence with a reception at the White House.
The meeting is bound to draw comparisons to previous encounters with Volodymyr Zelensky and Cyril Ramaphosa, both of whom experienced a dose of public humiliation during their respective meetings with the US President.
How will this encounter unfold?
Kicking off on a positive note, the President's guest house has been made available for Merz's overnight stay. Established in the 1920s, this elegant residence has welcomed distinguished guests such as Charles de Gaulle and Queen Elizabeth II.
At 11:30 AM local time, the main event — the meeting at the White House — begins. A press conference in the Oval Office with some of Trump's closest advisors is anticipated. Key advisors like J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Mark Rubio, prominent critics of Germany and other European allies, might be present.
The topic of Germany's freedom of speech and alleged exclusion of parties like the AfD is likely to surface and merits a firm response from Merz. He has stood firm on the issue, labeling such criticism as interfering.
How long will the Oval Office meeting last?
The length of the meeting remains uncertain. Previous encounters have varied between 50 minutes with Zelensky and only 28 minutes with Emmanuel Macron, with 23 questions directed at Trump and just four at Macron.
A history yet to be written
The first encounter between Merz and Trump dates back to New York several years ago. Speaking publicly about their first one-on-one phone call at the WDR Europaforum, Merz noted, "It's just small talk when you speak to him one-on-one. It's important to let him talk too." Their discussions have been centered around varied topics, such as the American Pope and the city of Chicago, which both hold a special place in their hearts.
Merz, an American investment firm BlackRock alumnus, has prepared for the meeting by reaching out to world leaders who have already met with Trump, seeking invaluable advice.
Trump's views on Merz
Unlike his comments following the German federal election, Trump has not publicly commented on Merz as Chancellor. Only Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Mark Rubio have extended congratulations so far.
A critical relationship
During Trump's first term, the relationship between the US and Germany faced challenges due to disagreements on various issues, such as defense spending and the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Famously, Trump avoided a handshake with Angela Merkel during a visit, a signature moment of their frosty relationship.
However, in the early days of Merz's term, Trump has refrained from criticizing Germany, dampening expectations for a stormy meeting.
A tactful approach
In an attempt to find common ground, Merz plans to approach Trump with a balanced strategy: "One must adapt to him and engage with him. And at the same time, one must not make ourselves smaller than we are. We are not beggars."
Key Agenda Items
- Ukraine Conflict: Efforts to end the war in Ukraine and address the humanitarian situation will be a primary focus of the discussion. Merz advocates for an unconditional ceasefire and peaceful resolution.
- Tariffs and Economic Matters: The trade dispute between the US and Europe, including the issue of tariffs, could be a point of contention. The deadline for the originally threatened 50 percent tariffs is July 9, but Trump's unpredictable nature could lead to unexpected developments.
- NATO Defense Spending: An expected topic of discussion during the NATO summit in The Hague is the defense spending of alliance members, with Trump demanding that countries contribute more to their defense budgets.
Time will tell whether this inaugural visit will mark the beginning of a new era in German-American relations, or spark renewed controversies.
- The meeting between Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Donald Trump is expected to delve into policy-and-legislation matters, as the Ukraine Conflict, tariffs, and NATO defense spending are poised to be key agenda items during their discussion at the White House.
- Merz's visit to the White House comes amidst ongoing war-and-conflicts, particularly the conflict in Ukraine, and their discourse will undoubtedly be influenced by the politics surrounding general-news incidents such as previous encounters with Volodymyr Zelensky and Cyril Ramaphosa.
