Value brevity in speech, grant him equal opportunity for dialogue - "Brevity key and encouraging dialogue are primordial"
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Shares Insights on Phone Conversations with President Trump
In his inaugural phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz maintained a friendly tone, despite the conversation's lack of controversy. This was their first interaction since Merz assumed the role of Chancellor.
Since then, Merz has engaged in several telephone conversations with Trump throughout May. During the Republica digital conference in Berlin, Merz shared some intriguing anecdotes with the hosts of the WDR News Podcast 0630. Notably, Merz revealed that Trump frequently uses the word "great" in their conversations, likening it to "every second or third word."
In one-on-one calls, Merz described the interaction as "small talk." However, he emphasized the importance of striking a balance when speaking with Trump—speaking briefly and giving Trump an opportunity to respond.
Trump's ego-centrism, well-documented in public life, seems to extend into their phone conversations. Merz confirmed that these discussions often revolve around Trump himself. To get Trump's attention for pressing matters, Merz advises finding the "right moment" when Trump is listening and adapting to his conversation style.
London, 29 May 2023
- Friedrich Merz
- Donald Trump
- Europe
- Phone Call
- USA
- WDR
(Based on relevant enrichment data, Merz is committed to maintaining Germany's sovereignty and independence in domestic affairs and setting boundaries with the U.S., while focusing on shared international interests and positioning himself as a leading voice in Europe.)
- The Commission, in light of Merz's focus on policy-and-legislation, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, particularly considering the potential dangers in high-risk industries such as car-accidents, fires, and even sports-related accidents.
- Beyond politics, there have been debates about the effects of war-and-conflicts on migration, a pressing issue that Merz has evidently considered, given his commitment to protecting Germany's sovereignty and independence.
- In a broader context, the change in leadership in Germany has stirred general-news discussion, with some analysts pointing to the impact of Merz's leadership on information policy and free-press issues, including sports-betting and sports-analysis.
- Despite their personal interactions, Merz's stance on crime-and-justice remains clear, consistently emphasizing the importance of a fair judicial system and human rights, not just within Germany, but across Europe and the USA.
- In an interesting twist of events, Merz's engagement with Trump has provided insights into Trump's approach to various topics, from international relations to daily life, offering an intriguing perspective on the politics of both Europe and the USA.
- Looking ahead, Merz's role as a leading voice in Europe will be closely watched, particularly in light of his interactions with Trump and other world leaders, shedding light on potential future policy-and-legislation decisions affecting workers, migration, and many other key issues.
