German Chancellor Merz to meet Trump amid transatlantic tensions

BERLIN: Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz will next Thursday with US President Donald Trump for talks at the White House amid transatlantic tensions over trade and the war in Ukraine.

The talks will focus on relations between the two countries, German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said Saturday, as well as “the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and trade policy”.

The talks will be the first time the two leaders have met, and mark Merz’s first official visit as chancellor.

Trump has has rattled Europe with shifts in security and trade policy since returning to the White House, including an array of tariffs on European partners.

Speaking at the WDR Europaforum conference last Monday, Merz said the European Union could retaliate with measures against US technology companies or other tariffs if the transatlantic trade conflict escalates.

“We shouldn’t react heedlessly and hectically,” Merz said. “But if we can’t do anything else, we would need to use this tool.”

Merz and Trump have already had several telephone conversations, with the two earlier this month agreeing to visit each other, without giving dates.