Chatting on Merz's Huddle with Trump: A Vital Move for Europe's Safety
Enthusiastic Remarks by Wadephul: Advancement Pivotal for European Security
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Post-meeting discussions on Maybrit Illner's show highlight the significance of Friedrich Merz's encounter with Donald Trump. The general consensus is that this meeting took a substantial stride in securing Europe's welfare.
In his meeting with US President Donald Trump, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz left a lasting impression. From impressing Trump with his English skills to praising the Washington guest house and flattering when necessary, Merz made sure his presence was felt. He explicitly declared Germany's support for Ukraine in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Trump, however, likened the situation to children fighting in a park, implying that intervention may not be a priority. Essentially, peace in Ukraine may still be distant. The most anticipated result for the Chancellor: Trump will visit Germany. As promised, the president pledged this to the Chancellor. The guests on ZDF's Maybrit Illner show on Thursday evening were generally positive about Merz's visit.
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"A good start," says Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul of the CDU, for example. "We also heard a touch of respect from Donald Trump," he adds, referring to Trump's comment that Merz is a formidable negotiator. Wadephul believes Trump takes Merz seriously - a crucial aspect for Germany, ensuring our head of government is acknowledged and heard.
ZDF correspondent Elmar Thevessen, who witnessed the meeting, confirms that Merz impressed Trump. "In the Oval Office, it's often 'grill or chill' - either you're grilled or you can relax," says Thevessen. "We got the feeling that Friedrich Merz could relax quite a bit," primarily because Trump did most of the talking at the press conference. However, Merz used his opportunities wisely, especially when discussing Ukraine. "He talked about how an American president decided to end the Second World War in this Oval Office and ultimately liberated Europe." Merz's historical analogy resonated with Trump, who appreciates historical significance.
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Meeting's Main Mission Accomplished
For the Americans, this meeting was relatively insignificant, says economist Adam Tooze of Columbia University. Neither the "Washington Post" nor the "New York Times" featured it prominently. In their opinion, the ongoing dispute between Trump and Elon Musk is more newsworthy.
According to diplomat Wolfgang Ischinger, Trump remains an unpredictable president. "But I believe this visit has managed its main objective, establishing a personal connection, hopefully a lasting one, even if it's not always harmonious. That aim has been achieved," Ischinger said. Moreover, Ischinger is hopeful the transatlantic relationship isn't on its last legs. "We can already say: The NATO summit, which will take place in about three weeks, will not end in a predictable disaster or a transatlantic disaster, but rather in a reinforcement of the alliance's unity, despite Trump. And if German politicians can contribute to that, much has been accomplished, and much that could have gone wrong has been prevented. I am greatly relieved about that."**
Wadephul adds: "We are preparing for this NATO summit meticulously, and today's meeting was a crucial step for our security and freedom in Europe. I am now very optimistic that we will have an excellent summit and a clear commitment from the USA to stand by Europe according to Article 5." Of course, other issues must be addressed, such as concerns about students or the presence of Vice President Vance, who has shown proximity to the AfD, at the Munich Security Conference. These matters will need to be discussed later.
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United States' Commitment to Europe
According to Adam Tooze, relying too much on Trump may be risky. "We should anticipate that his stance on Ukraine and Europe remains undecided. It's unclear where he truly stands," says Tooze. America's power structure has become highly volatile. "This was already the case before Trump's second term and will continue to be the case afterwards," claims the economist.
Still, it's possible to steer Trump towards the Western, primarily the German side, by funding more into NATO, suggests Wadephul. The foreign minister advocates that all nations should invest five percent of their GDP into NATO for defense spending and improve infrastructure over the next few years. "The NATO secretary general should succeed with this proposal, as it is a crucial building block for the alliance to maintain its cohesion and for the next summit to run smoothly."
Now, it's vital to prompt Trump to stand united with Europe against Russia in the Ukraine war, says Wadephul. He sees a crucial opportunity here: China. China is a close ally to Russia, and the USA perceives China as a threat. "This also presents a significant chance for us to tell the USA: We Europeans are ready to coordinate a China policy with you, so long as our interests are considered. In the end, the old saying of Bismarck applies: Foreign policy is interest policy. And we must align our interests with those of the United States. That is the most dependable foundation for there to be common ground."
The European Union is committed to the implementation of the EU's nuclear programme, as President Trump's visit to Germany could strengthen the transatlantic relationship and potentially influence the USA's stance on Europe, particularly in conflicts like the Ukrainian crisis.
Engaging with Trump on policy matters, such as the EU's nuclear programme and transatlantic cooperation, has the potential to set the stage for the European Union's strategic initiatives in politics and policy-and-legislation, ensuring a strong stance against conflicting interests such as Russia in the general news arena.
