Merz and Trump: AfD no topic - Freedom of expression in focus!

Merz and Trump: AfD no topic - Freedom of expression in focus!

Washington, USA - Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) met US President Donald Trump in the White House. A visit to Washington was accompanied by questions about freedom of expression and dealing with the alternative for Germany (AfD). Merz made it clear that the topic of AfD was not discussed during the talks. He replied to the corresponding demand: "Interestingly, not in one word." This statement could indicate that the US government is more informed about the AfD than before what can be seen as a positive for the understanding of the German political landscape, reports Merkur .

Merz himself was prepared for Trump's possible comments on the AfD and freedom of expression in Germany. He emphasized that Germany was a strong democracy and did not need external lessons. Against the background of the sharp criticism that US Vice President JD Vance and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had practiced to Germany, Merz also commented on the maintenance of freedom of expression in his country. Vance warned of the Munich Security Conference in February before the political isolation of the AfD and claimed that freedom of expression in Europe was "on retreat". According to T-Online could speak to Trump Merz that Germany's worsened.

The meeting took place against the background of clever attempts by the Federal Foreign Minister Johann WadePhul to avoid the topic of freedom of expression during his inaugural visit to Washington. WadePhul expressed that there has been an irritating new style in dealing with each other since Trump's taking office. In a social debate, which was initiated by the media and political scientist, the question is increasingly in the question of how freedom of expression in Germany is to be assessed compared to the United States. In the United States, freedom of expression is protected by the first constitutional addition, while in Germany it is also protected by Article 5 of the Basic Law, but is bound to statutory barriers, explains ZDF .

The discussion about censorship and dealing with hate comments in Germany illustrates the difficulties in the balancing act between freedom and responsibility. Experts, including Sarah McLaughlin, express concern about the tendencies to restrict freedom of expression in both countries. While the Trump government's restrictions are discussed a lot in the United States, the German use of negative online content is also controversial, especially since insults are punishable in Germany, which is not the case in the USA.

outlook for the talks

In the next few days, Germany's defense spending and negotiations in the Ukraine War will also be spoken. However, Merz does not expect noteworthy "breakthroughs" in these difficult subject areas. The upcoming NATO summit and the American customs policies are also on the agenda of the talks between Merz and Trump. Interestingly, Merz promptly reacted to possible interference in German domestic politics and rejected Vance's criticism of the restrictions on freedom of expression as inappropriate interference in the Bundestag election campaign.