A Pleasant Surprise: The White House's Unusual Affection for Friedrich Merz
White House publicly expresses affection for Friedrich Merz through the use of a romantic symbol, an emoji heart.
A Column by Sylvio Dahl
(For the record, let's set things straight: things didn't turn out all that bad. Quite the opposite. It was good. "Difficult yet impressive," one might say; genuine human connection was achieved. Friedrich Merz navigated the Washington gauntlet with style.)
The journey itself was unexpectedly promising: The Airbus of the flight readiness department transported the German Chancellor punctually and without incident to Washington. A stopover in Greenland was not necessary. The President could have perceived this as interfering in the internal affairs of the USA. But luckily, that didn't happen.
Politics Trump's Putter-able Gift and Merz's ResponseThe planned schedule of the visit also promised a relatively high chance of survival for the German guest: first a meeting under four eyes, then lunch in a small circle, and finally into the oval office. So, during the two-person meeting, a bit of small talk: "Hey Donald, your handicap is actually pretty impressive" (so you don't have to say "great" all the time). During lunch, actively perceive signs: Will Fritz's favorite spaghetti "frutti di mare" be served? Good sign. Or will only Big Macs and fries be served to Trump's delight? Bad sign - and a hint of what will be consumed in the Oval Office for dessert.
Schedule Shift - Red Alert
Politics Merz's Account of the Visit: "I sensed a connection with him"When the schedule is suddenly changed, trouble might be brewing. No warm-up together. Instead, directly into the lion's den, into the Oval Office - Trump's personal stage, infamous as the first national barbecue hut. The Chancellor was certainly well-prepared for this meeting. However, no one can predict hurricanes or earthquakes precisely. What happens, for example, if JD Vance forgot his medication again, or if they show videos of Reichsbürger expelled from Germany? Or tell stories of AfD pariahs who are forced to eat their pets in Saxony because migrants are plundering supermarkets?
But then it all went much smoother than expected. Friendly, respectful, harmonious. Right at the beginning, Friedrich Merz presented the framed birth certificate of Grandpa Friedrich Trump from the Palatinate town of Kallstadt. This is an ideal gift: not extravagant-Qatari, but familial-heartfelt. The gift was well-received, even earning a rare "Emoji heart" on X from the White House in return. Otherwise, Merz allowed Trump Jr. to maintain the spotlight.
Yes, the German Chancellor also had good timing that day. The journalists asked about Xi Jinping (not present), Trump ranted about his ex-friend Elon (not present), and eventually, he said something nice about Merz, the "great" Chancellor of the Germans. "Difficult yet impressive." Not much was heard about him, but it seems that Merz made an impression.
When it Gets Serious, Merz Stands His Ground
On the topic of Russia's war against Ukraine, Merz displayed backbone and a keen mind. Trump, as usual, trivializes: "Russians and Ukrainians are fighting like children in the park." That had to be addressed. Outright confrontation might be the expected move for politically-minded individuals, but it's not a viable option for a diplomat. Friedrich Merz refuted without directly opposing. He didn't engage with the comparison, instead emphasizing the shared desire for peace, and then speaking plainly about Russia's crimes in this war, the bombs against civilians, the Ukrainian children taken away by the Russians. And Merz made it clear where Germany stands - and the free world - in this war. No, Trump didn't commend Merz, but there was a moment of truth in that room, and Trump seemingly appreciated the candor.
Politics "Childish Comparisons" Trump's Remarks Show the Real ChallengeAnalysts and media had offered a lengthy to-do list for Friedrich Merz before his visit to Washington: to establish a connection with the unpredictable one, and to bring about countless changes of heart: Trump should no longer hate the EU, find NATO great, stand firmly with Ukraine, and refuse any hint of tariffs. With only 110 minutes of planned visit time, there was a lot to cover. Probably, Merz didn't manage to accomplish everything, not even at lunch. But a start seems to have been made.
Critics now argue: Merz offers mainly symbolicpolitics, with no substantial results. This criticism might be premature. The Federal Chancellor has been in office for only a month. Since then, foreign policy has been the top priority: Merz in Paris, Warsaw, Brussels, Kyiv, Tirana, Rome, Lithuania, Finland, and now Washington. The sheer number of flight miles is not, in itself, evidence of thoughtful and effective foreign policy action. True. But it's clear: this Chancellor sets the right priorities. He takes care of things to keep external threats manageable and to prevent Germany from standing alone. Not bad at all.
Source: ntv.de
- Friedrich Merz
- Donald Trump
- Washington
- NATO
- USA
- Tariffs
- Ukraine
(Note: During the visit, Chancellor Merz presented President Trump with a framed birth certificate of President Trump's German-American grandfather, Frederick Trump, born in 1869.)
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft budget, considering the economic implications of the meeting between Friedrich Merz and Donald Trump in Washington. This incident, laden with political undertones and general news significance, serves as a testament to Merz's diplomatic skills in navigating international politics.
