Smoothing Tensions: Merz and Trump's Teleconference on Ukraine and Trade Disputes
Initiating conversation on trade disagreement: Merz and Trump aim for swift resolution
Just a couple of days following his inauguration, Chancellor Merz made his first call to US President Trump. Trump expressed gratitude for Germany's efforts to maintain peace in Ukraine and both agreed to steer clear of a trade war.
There's a glimmer of hope on the horizon in the trade dispute, a readiness to cooperate over Ukraine, and both Germany and the US exchanging invitations for visits - this is the gist of the initial conversation between the new German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, and US President Donald Trump. The chat was later described as a "pleasant, relaxed, and polite" exchange by government officials.
Politics and PerspectivesThe call took place on Thursday evening, just a couple of days after Merz's formal election and inauguration in the Bundestag. Trump expressed his congratulations to Merz while Merz assured Trump that the US would continue to be a "crucial ally and partner of Germany" on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
The core of the 30-minute conversation was dedicated to Ukraine. Both leaders agreed on cooperating closely to halt the Russian invasion and bring about peace. Merz echoed Trump's demand for a swift end to the violence in Ukraine. Russia must now agree to a truce to facilitate discussions, Trump pledged. He vowed to back Germany's peace efforts, working alongside France, Britain, Poland, and other European allies to achieve a lasting peace.
Trade War Averted?
The second topic that dominated the conversation was the trade conflict between the US and the EU. Merz and Trump expressed their desire to settle the conflicts between the US and the EU swiftly. While a solution is still elusive, it's important to note that the EU Commission has been preparing tariffs on US exports worth up to €95 billion as a possible retaliation should negotiations with Washington fail.
Politics and PredictionsIn July, the deadline set by Trump for EU concessions will expire. If no agreement is reached, Trump has threatened to impose extensive new tariffs on EU imports. These tariffs would complement the existing ones he has already imposed.
Recently, Merz has contested the US government's criticism of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution's classification of the AfD as "right-wing extremist." At the same time, he advocated for the abolition of all tariffs and the expansion of the mutual recognition of technological standards.
Transatlantic Soirée
Merz and Trump weren't exactly familiar faces before their conversation. They had only met briefly years ago in New York. In response to reports from government circles, Merz invited Trump for a visit to Germany. It's worth noting that Trump's ancestors hail from Kallstadt on the Wine Route in Rhineland-Palatinate, a town Merz mentioned during his invitation. Trump's grandparents emigrated from there to New York at the end of the 19th century.
Laying the GroundworkTrump has hinted at a possible trip to Germany, as he has only visited Germany, aside from making pit stops at the US airbase Ramstein, during the 2017 G20 summit. In turn, Merz has publicly expressed his desire to travel to the US before the G7 and NATO summits in June, within the next six weeks.
Sources: ntv.de, ino/als/dpa/rts
- Friedrich Merz
- Donald Trump
- Conflict in Ukraine
- Tariffs
- The economic and monetary union of the European Union, particularly with its member state Germany, will likely play a significant role in the ongoing trade disputes, as Chancellor Friedrich Merz and US President Trump have agreed to cooperate in settling these conflicts.
- Germany and the US are set to strengthen their partnership, with both leaders expressing support for the economic and monetary union, as part of their efforts to maintain peace in Ukraine and avoid a trade war.
- The new German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, and US President Donald Trump have both pledged to work together, within the framework of the economic and monetary union, to halt the Russian invasion in Ukraine and bring about a lasting peace.
- In the context of transatlantic relations, both Merz and Trump have shown a willingness to engage with each other, reflecting a common goal to promote such important initiatives as the economic and monetary union, even as they navigate through political disagreements and debates on general-news topics such as UKraine and trade disputes.
