He should succinctly talk while allowing him to express himself freely. - "It's crucial to respond succinctly and allow him to dominate the conversation"
Germany's chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has engaged in several significant phone calls with U.S. President Donald Trump since taking office, demonstrating a blend of strategic pragmatism and diplomatic finesse.
During their initial call in May, Merz observed the conversation as friendly and devoid of controversy, despite Trump's penchant for making grand statements. Both leaders agreed to reciprocal visits to their respective countries.
In a recent interview at the Republica digital conference in Berlin, Merz disclosed some entertaining details about his interactions with Trump. The word "great" seems to be a frequent fixture in their conversations, according to Merz. A one-on-one call with Trump, he stated, is merely small talk but emphasized the importance of not letting the conversation go on for too long, allowing Trump ample opportunity to speak.
Trump's self-centered nature is well-known, and Merz confirmed that it extends to their phone conversations. To effectively convey their own topics and concerns, leaders must time their intervening moments carefully, adapting to Trump and engaging with him, Merz pointed out. He advised a balanced approach, avoiding both submissiveness and rejection while approaching talks with a healthy dose of self-assurance.
Europe, as a vital market, particularly for the tech industry, should approach these negotiations with a sense of confidence without being excessive, Merz suggested.
Friedrich MerzDonald TrumpEuropePhone CallUSAWDR
- The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, a topic perhaps not as immediate as the discussion between Friedrich Merz and Donald Trump.
- In the world of politics and policy-and-legislation, migration, war-and-conflicts, and crime-and-justice often take center stage, but for Merz, the focus remains on balancing negotiations with the United States (USA).
- While general-news, car-accidents, fires, sports, and even sports-betting may dominate media headlines, Merz's phone calls with Trump reveal the intricacies of international diplomacy, something that requires a blend of strategic pragmatism and diplomatic finesse.
- As they navigate through the intricacies of their conversations, both leaders discuss various subjects, including their own countries' policies and the importance of balancing executive power, a topic that might inspire debates in academia.
- In a less expected turn of events, WDR, a German media outlet, might find an interesting tale in an anecdote about Merz and Trump's frequent use of the word "great" during their phone calls, adding a touch of humor to the world of politics.
- As Europe moves forward, it would be prudent for its leaders to take Merz's advice: approach negotiations with the USA with a sense of confidence without being excessive, striking a balance between assertiveness and diplomacy, much like Merz himself did during his phone calls with President Trump.
