Merz and Trump's Dance at The White House
Insights drawn from a prolonged 17-hour sojourn in Washington D.C.
Washington, D.C. (dpa) - Friedrich Merz is beaming with gratification. Following the Chancellor's extended meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday afternoon, he conducts interview after interview in front of the grand Lincoln Memorial in Washington, offering consistently positive evaluations. "We've laid a solid foundation for personally engaging and goal-oriented dialogues," says the CDU leader in ARD, acknowledging that political Washington has already moved on to other dramas, such as the brawl between Trump and his former advisor Elon Musk. So, what exactly did Merz's more than 17-hour trip to America deliver? Here's the lowdown.
From supporting player to leading act
Being invited to the Oval Office is akin to walking onto Trump's stage. Whether it's humiliating Ukraine's President Volodymyr Selenskyj or leaving South African State President Cyril Ramaphosa hanging, the White House stage is Trump's domain. Unlike other visitors, Merz avoids vitriolic treatment. At the press conference, he maintains a peripheral role as Trump predominantly chats about U.S. internal politics.
A budding friendship amid confrontation
The highlight of the first meeting? The two have formed a connection. Trump praised Merz for speaking impressive English and cautiously sidesteps any arguments. He described the CDU politician as "respected" and "a good man," and hinted that Germany could become a key player in Europe.
Germany is no longer Trump's whipping boy
In his first term, Germany was a frequent target of Trump's scorn, particularly over defense spending. This time around, however, things are different. "I know that you're investing considerably more money in defense – that's a positive thing," says Trump. There's no more talk about reducing the number of U.S. troops in Germany, either. If Germany wishes to keep American soldiers around, Trump says, it's no problem.
Escalation avoided for now
Despite having advisors like Vance and Rubio, who have accused Germany and other European allies of stifling free speech, Merz's meeting with Trump passed without the inevitable confrontation. The issue of Germany's handling of the AfD never came up, either at the press conference or during the joint lunch. Neither did it come up in an interview with CNN, leading Merz to conclude that the U.S. now has a better understanding of the true nature of the "so-called Alternative für Deutschland" (AfD).
Trade talks stalled
Regarding the trade dispute, Trump and Merz made limited progress. There's still time until July 9 to avert the 50% tariffs on EU goods. The EU Commission is managing the negotiations with the U.S. Merz viewed his role as merely easing tensions, hoping to find a mutually beneficial solution.
Similarly, the Ukrainian diplomacy is stuck in neutral. The combined efforts of the U.S. and European leaders have been unsuccessful, as evidenced by the Washington meeting. Trump likened their relationship to "two little kids fighting like crazy," with Merz sitting silently beside him. Sometimes, he suggested, it's best to let them fight a bit before arbitrating.
The show must go on
The two leaders have more meetings lined up: In June, they'll catch up at the G7 summit in Canada and the NATO summit in The Hague. However, that's not all. According to Merz, Trump has accepted an invitation to visit Germany. "He will come to Germany. We're figuring out a date now," Merz told RTL/ntv. The Chancellor is planning a trip to Kallstadt, a town on the German Wine Route that happens to be home to Trump's ancestors in the Palatinate.
Insights:
- Trade talks will likely delve into mutual economic benefits and potential agreements bolstering bilateral trade, with tariffs, trade imbalances, and cooperation in technology as central themes.
- Ukrainian diplomacy will focus on continued coordination and financial support for Ukraine, as well as ensuring regional stability in Europe through diplomatic efforts and military aid.
- NATO cooperation will emphasize strengthening alliances, reaffirming mutual defense commitments, and enhancing cooperation within the alliance, with an emphasis on burden-sharing goals.
- The strategic partnership between the U.S. and Germany will be emphasized, focusing on global security, climate change, and technological advancements. The cultural and historical ties between the two nations will also be highlighted as a foundation for future cooperation.
- Friedrich Merz, during his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, noted that the discussions focused on policy-and-legislation and politics, particularly the investment in German defense as part of a strengthened strategic partnership.
- In the realm of general news, the budding relationship between Merz and Trump was a prominent topic, with the latter emphasizing Germany's positive role in Europe, suggesting it could become a key player, and offering his acceptance of an invitation to visit Germany.
