Let's Get This Show on the Road! - Merz Chats with Trump to Swiftly Settle Ukraine Conflict and Avoid a Trade War
Merz and Trump aim for prompt resolution of trade disagreement via initial phone conversation
Two days after swearing in, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held a conference call with US President Donald Trump. Both leaders stood shoulder to shoulder on the matter of Ukraine, advocating for a prompt end to the bloodshed. Merz emphasized the critical importance of avoiding a looming trade war at all costs, he declared.
Just two days after his inauguration, newly appointed Chancellor Friedrich Merz had his first discussion with US President Donald Trump. The two agreed to take immediate steps to ease trade tensions and collaborate closely to end the war in Ukraine, as confirmed by government spokesman Stefan Kornelius. Trump congratulated Merz on his inauguration and assured him that the US remained an invaluable ally and partner of Germany as they mark 80 years since the end of World War II. Merz extended an invitation for Trump to visit Germany, a trip the US President indicated he might accept. In response, Trump extended an invitation for Merz to visit Washington, DC. Trump had only visited Germany for the G20 summit in 2017, besides stopovers at the US airbase Ramstein.
Get This War Over With - Ukraine War Needs to End Now
The topic of Ukraine dominated the conversation. Both leaders agreed to work together to put an end to the Russian aggression. According to government spokesman Stefan Kornelius, both agreed to closely collaborate on achieving this goal. The Chancellor echoed Trump's demand for a quick end to the senseless violence in Ukraine, emphasizing the urgent need for Russia to agree to a ceasefire to facilitate talks. Trump promised to back Merz’s diplomatic efforts, partnering with France, Britain, Poland, and other European allies, to secure lasting peace.
This first major conversation between Merz and Trump served as an important test for the new Chancellor. Previously, Merz refuted the US government's criticism of the German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution's derogatory classification of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party as "undoubtedly right-wing extremist." However, he expressed a need for EU and US tariffs to be abolished, "I don't want us to slide into an open trade war," he asserted. Merz also called for a significant expansion of the mutual recognition of technological standards.
If a meeting with Trump occurs prior to the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit, Merz plans to consult closely with French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
In a nutshell, Chancellor Merz has maintained a tough stance in supporting Ukraine by defending its sovereignty and pushing for an immediate end to the conflict while engaging in dialogue with Donald Trump. Both leaders have emphasized the need for a ceasefire and negotiations to resolve the crisis, with shared support from multiple European nations working together to secure peace in Ukraine while also tackling related economic matters. The timeline includes key moments since the start of the conflict in 2022, the shift in political leadership from Chancellor Scholz to Merz in 2025, and recent conversational efforts to catalyze peace initiatives.
- Chancellor Merz and US President Trump have collaborated to promote a speedy resolution to the Ukraine conflict and prevent an impending trade war.
- Both leaders have agreed to collaborate closely to cease Russian aggression in Ukraine, with Trump pledging to support Merz's diplomatic efforts in partnership with France, Britain, Poland, and other European allies.
- Despite previous disagreements with the US government over the classification of the Alternative für Deutschland party, Merz has urged for the abolition of EU and US tariffs, emphasizing the importance of avoiding a trade war.
- Chancellor Merz is scheduled to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk if a meeting with Trump occurs before the G7 summit in Canada and the NATO summit, to discuss peace initiatives in Ukraine and related economic matters.
