Merz and Trump Discuss Rapid Resolution of Trade Disagreements in Initial Telephone Conversation
Firing Up Friendship: Merz and Trump's Chit-Chat on Ukraine and Trade
Just two days after assuming power, Chancellor Merz dialed up US President Trump for a heart-to-heart session. Trump pledged his support for Merz's peace efforts regarding Ukraine and both parties agreed to sidestep a trade war.
The first call between the new German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, and US President Donald Trump was described by officials as a "remarkably friendly, relaxed, and polite" conversation post-conversation.
Politics and Pasts
The conversation took place on Thursday evening, two days after Merz's election and inauguration in the Bundestag. Trump congratulated Merz, according to the German side. Merz assured Trump, on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, that the US will remain a cherished friend and strategic partner of Germany.
Unsurprisingly, Ukraine was the main topic of discussion, with both agreeing to work closely to put a halt to the Russian invasion, explained government spokesman Stefan Kornelius. Merz echoed Trump's demand for an immediate end to the bloodshed in Ukraine, urging Russia to commit to a ceasefire to pave the way for negotiations. Trump promised to stand firmly behind German peace efforts, collaborating with France, Britain, Poland, and other European allies to achieve lasting peace.
Trade and Tariffs
The second topic of the conversation was the trade conflict between the US and the EU. Merz and Trump aimed to resolve the disagreements between the two powerhouses swiftly, according to the German side. However, a breakthrough is still elusive. Just before the call, the EU Commission announced it was readying additional tariffs worth up to 95 billion dollars on US exports, if negotiations with Washington do not produce a solution.
Politics and Projections
A 90-day deadline set by Trump for EU concessions expires in July. In the event of a deadlock, Trump intends to impose new, extensive tariffs on EU imports, adding to the existing tariffs he has already levied.
Recently, Merz has objected to the US government's criticism of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution's classification of the AfD as "securely right-wing extremist." Simultaneously, he advocated for the EU and the US to forge ahead with eliminating all tariffs. "I don't want us to plunge into an open trade war," he stated. He also urged for the mutual recognition of technological standards to be significantly expanded.
Invitations Galore
Merz and Trump were virtually strangers prior to their chat. They had barely crossed paths once before, many years ago in New York. Reports suggest that Merz extended an invitation to Trump to visit Germany, reminding Trump of his German ancestral roots in Kallstadt on the Wine Route in Rhineland-Palatinate - a historical fact that Trump's grandparents had emigrated from to New York at the end of the 19th century.
Trump, in turn, invited Merz to Washington. Merz has publicly expressed interest in visiting the US before the G7 and NATO summits in June, within the next six weeks.
Early Start
In a segment on ntv Early Start, political analysts commented that Merz would earn respect from Trump by taking a firm but diplomatic stance on trade issues, potentially leading to a successful resolution of the trade dispute.
- Friedrich Merz
- Donald Trump
- Attack on Ukraine
- Tariffs
Enrichment Data:The ongoing trade dispute between the US and the EU remains tense, with tariffs and countermeasures still in place, impacting key sectors like German wine exports negatively. Both sides have been preparing additional tariffs if negotiations fail to produce a solution. The recent call between Merz and Trump represents a diplomatic attempt to ease tensions, and both parties have expressed their desire to resolve trade issues quickly, beyond just trade issues, including coordination aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
- In the recent conversation between Chancellor Friedrich Merz and US President Donald Trump, both parties agreed to work cooperatively to put an end to the war in Ukraine.
- Despite the ongoing trade dispute between the US and the EU, Merz and Trump expressed their desire to resolve these issues swiftly, beyond just trade matters.
- During the conversation, Merz echoed Trump's demand for an immediate end to the bloodshed in Ukraine, urging Russia to commit to a ceasefire to pave the way for negotiations.
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz, in his conversation with US President Donald Trump, advocated for the mutual recognition of technological standards to be significantly expanded, aiming to avoid a potential open trade war.
