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After Courting and Criticizing Trump From Afar, Merz Now Set to Meet U.S. Leader

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on June 5, 2025, for their first face-to-face discussion.
The meeting followed tensions over U.S. Tariffs doubling on European steel and aluminum, and Merz's criticism of America’s reduced focus on European security.
They discussed issues including the war in Ukraine, Middle East conflicts, NATO defense spending, and trade tensions related to threatened tariffs.
Trump described the discussion as positive but indicated it would not result in swift peace, while Merz cautioned the U.S. Against meddling in Germany’s internal affairs.
This meeting represents Merz’s biggest foreign policy test and may affect transatlantic relations amid uncertainty over trade and security agreements.

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The Japan Times

Center

After courting and criticizing Trump from afar, Merz now set to meet U.S. leader

Past meetings between the two countries’ leaders have often been formalities to reinforce their unshakable postwar partnership. This time is different.

2 days ago·Japan

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Politico Europe

Lean Left

Merz meets Trump 🍿

Presented by Connect Europe By JAMIE DETTMER with ZOYA SHEFTALOVICH PRESENTED BY Send tips here | Contact us on X @NicholasVinocur @swheaton @TimRoss_1 | Listen to Playbook and view in your browser…

2 days ago·Brussels, Belgium

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hna.de

+3 Reposted by 3 other sources

Center

Linnemann Continues to Hope for Free Trade Agreements with the USA

US President Trump's customs threats against the EU will be a major issue during Chancellor Merz's inaugural visit to the White House. The CDU Secretary-General thinks one step further.

2 days ago

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Sky News UK

Center

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is meeting Donald Trump for the first time, so will it be another Starmer love-in, or a Zelenskyy-style brush off?

Ukraine, the Middle East and tariffs will likely be discussed when Friedrich Merz meets the US president later, but which Donald Trump will show up, and whether old wounds will be re-opened are just two of the potential pitfalls facing the German leader in Washington.

2 days ago·United Kingdom

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Zeit Online

Lean Left

Friedrich Merz in Washington: Those Who Retreat Lose

Friedrich Merz visits one of the most dangerous places in the world: the Oval Office. How can the Federal Chancellor exist with Donald Trump?

2 days ago·Germany

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n-tv.de

Lean Right

Chancellor Visits Washington: Merz Trump Has to Convince Trump on These Three Topics

On Thursday evening of German time, Federal Chancellor Merz meets US President Donald Trump personally for the first time. It is the most important meeting of his young chancellorship and probably the most important of the year. Three topics will determine the meeting.

2 days ago

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