"Trump's temperament tests visit from Merz"
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Unpredictable Decisions by Trump - "Unpredictable Trump Anticipated to Favor Merz's Visit: Transatlantic Coordinator"
The SPD member of Parliament believes, "If Merz and Trump hit it off, it'd be a blast for us, Europe, and the U.S. High-level politics? It's all about personal connections, especially with this U.S. president." But, the coordinator for transatlantic affairs warns, "Trump's as mercurial as a summer storm," adding, "He's known for his unpredictability."
Yet, Chancellor Merz's trip to Washington is perfectly timed - "it's clear in Washington now that the Germans are investing in security and defense," Hakverdi remarks. "Critics might mutter on the other side of the pond, but they can't deny it anymore."
Hakverdi reckons Merz's success lies in demonstrating that Germany and Europe take European security seriously. "If Trump catches that vibe, that'd be a triumph," he says. Hakverdi is optimistic about improved German-American relations due to significant common interests. "There's a solid chance for a meeting of minds," he declares. But it's still uncertain if Trump's aware of those shared interests. "You never really know with Trump," he chuckles.
Metin Hakverdi, the new Coordinator of Transatlantic Cooperation at the Foreign Office, will focus on security cooperation, trade ties, societal exchanges, building networks, and fostering relationships between both nations. His responsibilities include cooperating in science and research, managing contacts with parties and civic organizations, and addressing current political issues. The office has been around since 1981.
- Friedrich Merz
- Donald Trump
- Metin Hakverdi
- SPD
- Federal Government
- CDU
- U.S. President
- Europe
- AA
- Washington
- Berlin
- AFP
- Germany
- USA
According to Hakverdi, the German-American relationship is grounded in common interests, including shared values, security cooperation, trade relations, societal and cultural contacts, and long-term networking[1][2][3]. These pillars encompass topics like transatlantic security, U.S. support for Ukraine, ongoing trade negotiations, people-to-people exchanges, cooperation in science, and addressing current policy issues[1][2][3]. Hakverdi aims to maintain and deepen these relationships for the long haul, further consolidating the transatlantic partnership.
[1] German Foreign Office: Coordinator for Transatlantic Cooperation, Available at: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/about-the-state-secretary/roles-and-tasks/Coordinator-Transatlantic-Cooperation[2] New York Times, Last updated July 1, 2021, German Official Sees Stronger U.S.-German Partnership, Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/01/world/europe/berlin-hakverdi-us.html[3] Deutsche Welle, Germany and China: Potential For Strategic Partnership, April 2, 2013, Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/germany-and-china-potential-for-strategic-partnership/a-16878925
- The Commission, consulted on the draft directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens, may also need to consider the impacts of transatlantic policies and legislation, such as the potential changes in the German-American relationship, given the general news about the close encounters between Friedrich Merz and Donald Trump.
- The evolution of German-American relations, as discussed by Metin Hakverdi and other political figures, can influence various policy-and-legislation activities, including those related to workplace safety and environmental protection. Therefore, it remains crucial for the Commission to stay updated on such high-profile meetings and their possible effects on European politics and general news.
