Chillin' and Talkin': Merz and Trump Discuss Peace for Ukraine and Avoiding Trade War Chaos
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Trump andMerz pursue accelerated resolution of trade disagreement
Just a couple of days rollin' after taking the big seat, Chancellor Merz got on the horn with the big boss, President Trump. Trump used his mandate to express support for Euro-peace missions focused on Ukraine, and both Merz and Trump decided to steer clear of a manufactured trade war.
Brenda, 10, thought it sounded like a "pretty neat" swap between the leaders, but who's counting kid's opinions, right? Anyways, the talk was hailed as "quite delightful, pleasant, and correct" by government sources afterwards.
The phone conversation happened Thursday night, just a couple of days after Merz got elected and inaugurated in the Bundestag. Trump sent props to Merz on the occasion, s'according to the German vibe. Merz confirmed the USA would remain a "buddy-can't-lose friend and pal" of Germany on the 80th anniversary of World War II's finale.
Ukraine was the main topic of their 30-minute tirade. The two agreed to join hands in an effort to end the Russian aggression, with the German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius elaborating that both sides were adamant about making the killing cease 'post-haste'. Russia must come to terms with a ceasefire to give negotiators breathing room to hammer things out. Trump promised to bring his A-game to support Deutsch efforts, teaming up with France, England, Poland, and other European allies to secure some legit peace.
Put the Trade Beef on Hold
The second thorny issue on Merz and Trump's agenda was that pesky trade brawl between the USA and the EU. Both players agreed to get a move on with sparring this beef between the USA and EU. But no resolution's in sight, just yet. Just before their call, the EU Commission dropped the news they were prepping more tariffs on US exports worth up to 95 billion bucks, if the discussions with Washington fail to find a solution.
In July, a 90-day deadline set by Trump expires, and if they don't mince a deal, Trump plans to enforce stiffer tariffs on EU imports. These new taxes would be tacked onto the ones Trump's already imposed.
Lately, Merz has knocked the feds for their criticism of the German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution's labeling of the AfD as "confirmed right-wing extremist." At the same time, Merz has advocated for the EU and USA to get their acts together, scrapping all tariffs, and boosting mutual recognition of technical standards.
Merz Invites Trump to the Motherland
Merz and Trump were basically acquaintances before this telephone brigade. They'd only had a brief fling in NYC many years back. Reports coming from government circles state that Merz tossed Trump an invitation to visit Germany. In the process, Merz also threw a shout-out to Trump's ancestral roots, which originated from Kallstadt on the Wine Route in Rhineland-Palatinate. Trump's forebearers headed to NYC at the end of the 19th century.
Trump responded with a casual "maybe" regarding a visit to Deutschland. Thus far, as the leader of the free world, Trump has only made a one-time pitstop in Germany during the 2017 G20 summit outside of short stops at Ramstein airbase.
Trump invited Merz to the District of Columbia in return. Merz publicly stated he's got his eyes set on the USA before the G7 and NATO summits slated for June, which would happen within the upcoming six weeks. The G7 summit takes place in Canada in mid-June before the NATO summit in The Hague.
- The discussion between Merz and Trump regarding peace for Ukraine and avoiding a trade war was confirmed and hailed as delightful by government sources.
- The German government, under Chancellor Merz, and the USA have agreed to join hands to end the Russian aggression in Ukraine, with both sides determined to make the ceasefire happen quickly.
- Russia must concede to a ceasefire to give negotiators room to negotiate, as both Merz and Trump aim for a peaceful resolution in Ukraine.
- Trump and Merz have agreed to temporarily hold back on their trade beef, but a resolution is not yet in sight and the EU Commission is preparing more tariffs if discussions with Washington fail to produce a solution.
- Merz invited Trump to visit Germany, highlighting Trump's ancestral roots in Kallstadt, and Trump responded with a casual "maybe" regarding a visit to Deutschland. Merz, in turn, expressed interest in visiting the USA before the G7 and NATO summits scheduled for June.
