Chillin' With the Big Dogs: Merz and Trump Chat About Ukraine, Tariffs, and More
Trump and Merz engage in discussions regarding Ukraine and tariffs in search of resolutions. - Trump and Merz seek resolutions on Ukraine matters and tariff issues
Things are heating up (just a smidge) between the US and Germany as new Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and President Donald Trump had their first friendly chat. The conversation, described as very cool, polite, and cordial by government sources, took place on a Thursday evening, two days after Merz's election and inauguration in the Bundestag. Trump sent his well-wishes to Merz, and the Chancellor appreciated the US as an "irreplaceable buddy and partner" as they marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Ukraine Peacemaking was the hottest topic headlining their 30-minute discussion. Merz and Trump agreed on working together with the aim of stopping the Russian invasion. The killing in Ukraine needs to end ASAP, according to both leaders. Russia needs to agree to a ceasefire to create a space for negotiations. Trump expressed his support for European peace efforts.
But here's the catch—when it comes to finding a possible peace solution for Ukraine, the US and European allies ain't always on the same page. While Trump is pressuring Ukraine to make concessions to Russia, Germany, along with France and Britain, is raising a red flag about a dictated peace.
The US and Europe had a little tiff about Tariffs and the ongoing trade conflict too. Both agreed to resolve the disputes between the US and the EU, but a peaceful resolution is yet to be seen. The EU Commission announced it's prepping additional tariffs on US exports worth up to 95 billion euros if negotiations don't pan out by July—the deadline for a solution or else Trump will slap on hefty new tariffs on imports from the EU.
Merz and Trump were practically strangers before their heart-to-heart. They only met briefly in New York way back when. But oooh-wee, talk about small world! The Chancellor invited Trump to Germany, even mentioning his old hometown in Rhineland-Palatinate, where Trump's grandparents originated from before heading to the States back in the day. Trump could picture visiting Germany, but so far, he's only been to Germany to attend the G20 summit back in 2017 and for some quick time at the US airbase Ramstein.
Finally, Merz has plans to travel to the US before mid-June. Trump extended an invitation to the Chancellor to visit D.C., and Merz is ready to jet off before the G7 and NATO summits in June. The G7 summit will happen in Canada mid-June, followed by the NATO summit in The Hague.
| Subject | US Approach | German Approach ||----------------------------|-------------------------------------|------------------------------|| Ukraine Peace Talks | Encourages Ukraine to compromise with Russia| Supports a ceasefire and negotiations || French, German, British Stance | Opposes a dictated peace for Ukraine | Supports a ceasefire, negotiations and EU-Russia compromise || Tariffs Dispute Resolution | Open to resolving the EU-US disputes | Prepared to impose tariffs if diplomacy fails |
- In their discussion about Ukraine, both Friedrich Merz and President Donald Trump agreed on the necessity of cooperation to end the Russian invasion and stop the killing.
- While President Trump is urging Ukraine to make concessions to Russia, Germany, along with France and Britain, is advocating against a dictated peace and instead supporting a ceasefire, negotiations, and a compromise between EU and Russia.
- The US and Europe are at odds regarding tariffs and the ongoing trade conflict. The EU Commission is preparing additional tariffs on US exports worth up to 95 billion euros if a peaceful resolution isn't reached by July.
- Donald Trump received an invitation from Chancellor Merz to visit Germany, and Merz plans to travel to the US before mid-June, likely attending the G7 and NATO summits in June.
