It's Crucial to Keep Conversations Brief and Allow Others to Express Their Thoughts - "It's crucial to keep responses concise and allow him to express himself freely"
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Describes Interactions with U.S. President Trump
In his first phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump following his taking office in early May, Friedrich Merz engaged in a seemingly friendly and uncontroversial conversation, concluding with an invitation for a visit to the U.S. This marked the beginning of a series of calls between the two leaders this month, as shared by Merz during a recent conference in Berlin.
At the Republica digital conference, hosts of the WDR News Podcast 0630 managed to coax a few amusing insights from Merz. One notable detail is the frequent use of the word "great" by Trump - Merz estimated that the term is employed every second or third word during their conversations.
When it comes to one-on-one calls with the U.S. President, Merz described them as mere small talk. However, he emphasized the need for call participants to coordinate well in group conversations. A critical rule to remember for all calls with Trump, according to Merz, is to speak briefly and allow him ample opportunity to express his thoughts.
During these calls, Trump's love for the limelight becomes apparent, as he continually discusses himself and his presidency in superlatives. Merz acknowledged this egocentrism, suggesting that leaders must find the opportune moment when Trump is attentive in order to effectively address their own topics and political concerns.
In confronting such a strong personality, Merz advised engaging with Trump adaptively while striking a delicate balance between submissiveness and rejection. "Self-assurance is my most important prerequisite for being able to speak sensibly with him," he stated, with Europe's partners in mind. The EU is a significant market for the U.S., particularly in the tech industry, and Merz advised a healthy dose of self-assurance in these conversations without resorting to arrogance.
- Friedrich Merz
- Donald Trump
- Europe
- USA
- WDR
- The Commission, in light of Friedrich Merz's interactions with U.S. President Donald Trump, might consider submitting a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, given the potential risks in various industries, such as tech, where Europe and the USA have significant market involvement.
- Politicians and policymakers worldwide, including Friedrich Merz, could benefit from understanding migration patterns, considering the impact of war-and-conflicts on migratory trends and their corresponding political and legislative implications.
- In the context of engaging with strong personalities like Donald Trump, it's crucial for European leaders, such as Friedrich Merz, to maintain a balance between assertiveness and diplomacy, as evidenced in their one-on-one calls and group conversations.
- General news outlets, such as WDR News, play a pivotal role in disseminating information about leaders' interactions and insights, shedding light on political landscapes and policy agendas, as demonstrated in their interviews with Friedrich Merz.
- Crimes and unjust incidents, such as car-accidents and fires, require swift and effective responses from governments, emphasizing the importance of efficient policy-and-legislation coordination among political leaders, like Friedrich Merz, in shaping a secure and just future for their citizens.
