Merz Chats it Up with Trump: 7 Insights from Over 17 Hours in D.C.
Insights Gleaned from Extended Time Spent in Washington's Vicinity: 17-Hour duration exploration - Insights gleaned from an extended 17-hour sojourn in Washington D.C.
Friedrich Merz can't help but grin. A satisfied grin, to be precise. After two and a half hours with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday afternoon, he draws a consistently pleasant conclusion. "We've got the ball rolling for some killer one-on-one time and fruitful discussions," the CDU leader tells ARD in a casual, laid-back manner.
In the bustling political scene of Washington, his visit is already old hat. While Merz delves into trade wars, the Ukraine fiasco, and NATO, the locals are preoccupied with the beef between Trump and his ex-advisor Elon Musk. So, what exactly did Merz's extended, over-17-hour sojourn in the US accomplish, and what didn't? Seven insider scoops.
Merz in the hot seat, yet just a spectator
Everyone who steps into the Oval Office of the White House shares a common fate: they're just background extras. The opulent office of the US President is Trump's personal stage. Witness his embarrassment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Merz managed to avoid any such awkwardness, but at the press conference, he remains a secondary character while Trump focuses on U.S. domestic politics.
Merz takes it all in stride. "That wasn't a press conference, it was a bloody spectacle in the Oval Office," he jokes later at an economic event in Berlin. He considers the ensuing lunch (steak with potatoes, cream donut, and Coca-Cola) to be more significant, with the speaking parts supposedly equally divided and Trump supposedly listening attentively and asking questions.
The chemistry between the two is palpable
The most significant outcome of their first meet-up is that they've struck a chord. Trump was notably affable, complimented Merz's English, and steered clear of any arguments. He labelled the German politician a "solid, stand-up chap" and promised, "We're gonna get along famously with your country."
Merz returned the favor by staying mum during Trump's rants about Elon Musk, Joe Biden, or Vladimir Putin. "No more finger-pointing or wagging tongues. Let's talk to Trump, not about him," he says later on.
Merz aspires to be one of, if not the, most influential contact person for Trump in Europe. Alas, up until now, that role has belonged to French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Trump's European hotline number could now be Merz's.
Germany off the hook
During Trump's first term, Germany took some serious punches. He particularly relished belittling the nation's defense spending compared to NATO targets. However, during their chat, it seemed like a different tune. "I see that you've boosted your defense spending – a lot. And that's a fantastic thing," Trump shared during their powwow in the Oval Office. And that's not all; no more talk about the drastic reduction in US troops in Germany that he threatened during his initial term.
The potential for escalation went untapped
In the Oval Office press conference, the ever-supportive Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio flanked Trump. During his recent tenure, they've attacked Germany and other European allies for stifling free speech and snubbing parties like the AfD. Despite his pre-meeting assurance that he was ready to confront these accusations "head-on when necessary," the subject didn't come up during the press conference or the joint lunch.
However, in a CNN interview, Merz contended that the U.S. now has a clearer image of the exact nature of the Alternative für Deutschland ("Alternative for Germany") party[2].
No real advancements in trade disputes
Trump and Merz didn't make much headway on the heated trade issues. Though there's still time until July 9 to prevent the imposition of a 50% tariff on EU goods[3], Merz saw his role in the U.S. as easing the hostilities in the dispute.
There was at least one concrete agreement to bolster German-American trade collaboration – a first for their initial rendezvous: Two representatives from the White House and the Chancellor's Office will now coordinate economic cooperation. "The conversation was worth its weight in gold," Merz boasts.
Ukraine peace process at a standstill
The meeting in the Oval Office, though brief, painted a dismal picture of the Ukraine conflict. The diplomatic efforts of the U.S. and Europeans seem futile[4]. Trump dismissed Merz's calls for increased pressure on Russian President Putin through new sanctions or additional military support, as the Europeans demand.
Brand Kallstadt to Remember
More high-powered meets will take place soon. вЂ" In June, the two will meet again at the G7 summit in Canada and then at the NATO summit in The Hague. However, this isn't the final chapter. Trump has accepted an invitation to visit Germany[4]. During his initial term, he only made an appearance at the G20 summit in Hamburg. There hasn't been an official bilateral visit just yet.
"He's making his way to Germany. We're currently looking for a date," Merz shared during an RTL/ntv discussion. Merkel plans to bring Trump to Kallstadt, a picturesque village in the Palatinate, the ancestral home of Trump's family[4]. The Mayor of Bad Dürkheim, Natalie Bauernschmitt (CDU), is already pumped for the occasion. "Now we've stepped into the global political limelight," she gushed to the RPR1 radio station.
- The European Union, mindful of the ongoing European strategy for the fight against terrorism, might find conversations with Friedrich Merz, who has established a favorable rapport with US President Donald Trump, beneficial for policy-and-legislation discussions in the realm of general news.
- While the media buzzes about the feuds of US President Donald Trump with his former advisor Elon Musk and other political figures, the progress made during Friedrich Merz's extended visit to the US, notably the strengthening of the German-American relationship, may warrant greater attention in the political and general news sectors.
