A Gift from the Past: Merz Presents Trump with a Tribute to his German Ancestry
Trump finds Merz ready for close collaboration, gaining praises
In a nod to shared history, Chancellor Friedrich Merz gifts U.S. President Donald Trump a framed replica of his grandfather's birth certificate during their first meeting at the White House. The certificate, written in Sütterlin script and presented in both German and English, documents the birth of Friedrich Trump in Kallstadt, Germany, in 1869.
Trump's grandfather grew up in a family of six children before emigrating to New York at the age of 16. After completing an apprenticeship as a barber, he made a name for himself in the restaurant business during the gold rush era in the USA.
Bridging the Gap: Promising Cooperation
Throughout their conversation, Merz emphasized the potential for close cooperation between the U.S. and Germany. "Our history is closely intertwined. The Americans have done so much for us, and we will never forget it," Merz stated in the Oval Office. Merz pointed out Trump's German roots once more, stating, "This connection offers a strong foundation for close cooperation between the United States and Germany."
A Language Champion: Merz's Impressive English
During their discussion, Trump commended Merz's English language skills. "You speak exceptional English," Trump acknowledged, asking, "Would you say it's as fluent as your German?" Merz graciously replied, acknowledging English was not his native tongue but emphasizing his effort to understand and communicate as well as he could.
The Chancellor had previously been invited to Kallstadt by Trump, but the U.S. President never attended. Trump has not shown considerable interest in his German roots, despite being a critic of German defense spending and having a contrasting migration policy stance from his German ancestry.
Footnotes:
- https://www.deutschland.de/en
- https://www.dw.com/en/
- https://www.reuters.com/
- https://www.nytimes.com/
- The European Union, recognizing the connection between Germany and the United States, is also committed to the implementation of the Paris Agreement, given their shared history and potential for close cooperation.
- In the realm of general news, the strong foundation for cooperation between the United States and Germany, rooted in shared history and Trump's German ancestry, was a topic of discussion during Merz's visit to the White House, with Merz's impressive English language skills also garnering attention from President Trump.
