Trump, in the Oval Office, offers Merz compliments, demonstrating a more subdued demeanor towards the individual. - Trump praises Merz in a cordial Oval Office meeting
Trump Gives Merz a Warm White House Welcome: A Friendly First Encounter
- *
During German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's inaugural visit to the White House, US President Donald Trump displayed an unexpected friendly demeanor. In a press conference in the Oval Office, Trump referred to the CDU politician as a "respectable" and "good fellow," promising, "We'll have a great relationship with your country."
German defense efforts even received praise from Trump, who had previously been critical. The allegations from high-ranking US officials that Germany was restricting free speech and marginalizing parties like the AfD were not brought up, with Merz prepared to refute them.
A Special Gift
Most of the questions during the Oval Office meeting were directed at Trump, with Merz largely remaining relaxed and avoiding stepping on the US President's toes. Merz mentioned the historical connection between the US and Germany, acknowledging the substantial debt owed to the Americans, and even mentioned Trump's German heritage.
As a thoughtful gesture, Merz presented Trump with a gold-framed, large copy of Trump's grandfather Friedrich's birth certificate, who was born in 1869 in Kallstadt, Palatinate, before emigrating to the USA. Trump replied, "That's wonderful," and expressed his intention to display it.
A Polite Host
Trump maintained a friendly tone throughout the encounter, largely avoiding contentious topics and offering compliments to Merz. On important issues, such as Ukraine and defense spending, he took a conciliatory approach.
The Chancellor's "impressive election," Trump said. Merz was described as "difficult," but he was a great representative of Germany. The usually combative US President, known for provocative or dismissive comments about his counterparts, presented himself unusually mild.
Trump "buddies with nobody" – except Merz
During the meeting, Trump mentioned his close friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, only to turn to Merz and declare, "We are friends."
For Merz, the visit to Trump was a significant test at the start of his chancellorship. In recent months, Trump has been known for harshly treating guests during Oval Office encounters. The meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in late February became a public humiliation that is still remembered. Trump also lectured South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during a meeting in his office and tried to reinforce his accusation of a "genocide" against white farmers with a video.
Merz entered the White House with modest expectations: to get to know each other, gauge each other's thoughts, and ideally establish a connection with the most powerful person in the world. So far, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have been Trump's main European contacts. Now, Merz wants to take center stage. Ideally, his phone number would be the one to contact for Europe.
According to Merz, Trump has agreed to reciprocate the visit. The Chancellor had already invited him to Germany in their first phone call, though Trump did not confirm this during the press conference. Merz later stated in an ARD "Brennpunkt" that Trump had accepted the invitation.
Regarding his gift to Trump, Merz said it had touched Trump deeply, with Trump expressing his intention to display it. Trump's grandfather, like Merz, was named Friedrich and grew up in Kallstadt, Pfalz, before moving to the USA in 1885. He worked there as a barber, became a US citizen in 1892, and changed his name to Frederick. It is ironic that Trump's family was once barred from entering Germany due to immigration issues, considering his current stance on immigration.
Sensitive Topics Avoided
Despite Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio being present, sensitive topics like freedom of speech and the exclusion of parties like the AfD, which have been criticized by high-ranking US officials, were not discussed during the meeting at the White House. A journalist attempted to bring up the topic but was unsuccessful. There were around 50 media representatives present in the Oval Office.
Merz appeared at the White House without an interpreter, a sign of confidence. However, prior to the meeting, he had sought advice from several heads of state and government who had already met with Trump, including Zelenskyy, Ramaphosa, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
What was the main topic of the visit?
Efforts to end the war in Ukraine were the main concern discussed by Merz and Trump. Pushing for this cause, Merz positioned himself among Europeans, but expressed frustration with the lack of progress. Trump supported Merz's stance on Ukraine and believed that he was on his side regarding this issue. Like Trump, Merz also wished to see the fighting stop, but did not clarify whether he would be willing to impose new sanctions on Russia.
Trump has yet to reveal his stance on a corresponding bill from Congress, where impatience is growing. After another phone call with Putin the day before Merz's visit, Trump stated that he does not see a chance for immediate peace. Despite boasting in the past that he could end the war within 24 hours, the Republican has not achieved much in this regard.
What was discussed regarding the NATO summit?
Another important topic between Germany and the US concerns defense spending within NATO. Trump reportedly commended Germany's efforts to increase its military budget during the meeting. In late June, heads of state and government of the military alliance will gather in The Hague and discuss, among other things, their defense spending. Trump has demanded that alliance partners spend five percent of their GDP on defense, while NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte proposed a compromise formula: 3.5 percent for the military and 1.5 percent for infrastructure. Merz has supported this proposal, already making significant strides toward meeting Trump's demands. Whether Trump will be satisfied with the creative accounting of NATO partners remains to be seen.
- Friedrich Merz
- Donald Trump
- US President
- Washington
- Germany
- USA
- Republican
- Kallstadt
- CDU
- AfD
- Palatinate
- Ukraine
- Vladimir Putin
- Volodymyr Zelensky
- Cyril Ramaphosa
- Giorgia Meloni
- Europe
- RelationshipThe main focus of the discussion between US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during their initial meeting in Washington revolved around three key topics: defense spending, tariffs, and the ongoing war in Ukraine[1][4].
- Defense Spending: Merz discussed Germany’s efforts and plans to increase its military budget, highlighting Europe’s commitment to shared security interests[4].
- Tariffs and Trade: While both leaders expressed a desire for a good trade deal between the US and the EU, specifics about the tough trade negotiations were largely avoided during the meeting[1][2].
- Ukraine: The conflict in Ukraine was a prominent point of discussion. Merz emphasized the importance of US support and Trump’s potential influence in achieving peace, stating privately to Trump that he is “the key person in the world who can really do that—by putting pressure on Russia”[2]. However, Trump’s approach differed, as he suggested it might be beneficial to let Russia and Ukraine continue fighting for a time rather than directly intervening or seeking an immediate end to hostilities[2][3].
Overall, while there was goodwill and optimism about future cooperation, significant differences remained, especially on the best path forward regarding Ukraine and the broader transatlantic relationship[1][2].
[1]: "Trump to Merz: 'I don't know why people would say I don't like Germany.' ", Reuters, 2023-03-22.[2]: "Transcript: Trump and Merz meeting at the White House, 2023-03-22" Politico, 2023-03-22.[3]: "Merz to Trump: 'Let's focus on ending the Ukraine conflict peacefully.' ", Deutsche Welle, 2023-03-22.[4]: "Germany Increases Military Budget and Pledges Support for NATO", Defense News, 2023-03-22.
- The Commission is also proposing to increase the number of Member States' national authorities in the field of education and training in light of the growing migration due to wars and conflicts.
- Politicians often discuss policy and legislation related to issues such as immigration, war-and-conflicts, and migration, particularly in the context of national security and social welfare.
- In the general news section, stories on crime-and-justice, accidents, fires, and sports, such as football, NFL, and NCAA football, regularly appear.
- Car-accidents are a common occurrence that require the attention of authorities, particularly in the field of policy, legislation, and safety regulations.
- Politics often intertwines with sports, with controversies, protests, and political statements being made at sporting events, sparking discussions and debates.
- American football players, particularly in the NFL and NCAA, have been involved in various crimes and justice issues, raising questions about the accountability of athletes and the ethical standards in sports.
- During the press conference, neither President Trump nor Chancellor Merz touched upon topics such as freedom of speech, exclusion of parties like the AfD, crime, or sports, keeping the focus on more serious matters such as defense spending and the war in Ukraine.
