German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Meets President Trump to Discuss Ukraine Support, Trade Tensions, and Military Spending

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to meet with President Donald Trump in Washington, aiming to maintain U.S. support for Ukraine, address trade tensions, and enhance Germany’s military spending. Since taking office on May 6, Merz and Trump have established a ‘decent’ relationship, contrasting with the antagonism seen during Trump’s first term with Angela Merkel. Topics for discussion include Germany’s defense spending, trade, Ukraine, and concerns over ‘democratic backsliding’ in Germany. Merz, who has a conservative background and extensive business experience, is well-prepared for the meeting, having built a rapport with Trump through phone and text communications. He seeks to keep Western support for Ukraine unified and has pledged continued military aid, including helping Ukraine develop long-range missile systems. At home, Merz is committed to increasing Germany’s military spending, endorsing a plan for allies to aim for 3.5% of GDP on defense by 2032, plus an additional 1.5% on defense-related infrastructure. Additionally, Merz aims to revitalize Germany’s economy, Europe’s largest, which has faced stagnation. Trump’s tariff threats, particularly on German auto exports, pose a challenge. Despite this, Merz advocates against tariffs, emphasizing their detrimental effects. The meeting also addresses far-right tensions, following Vice President JD Vance’s controversial speech in Munich, which Merz criticized for lecturing European leaders on democracy.