Merz and Trump in the White House: Fight for the Transatlantic Future!

Merz and Trump in the White House: Fight for the Transatlantic Future!

On Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 11 a.m., Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) is expected to meet US President Donald Trump in the White House. According to Merz, the event unfolds on the same morning at 0:51 a.m. In Germany, interested parties can follow the meeting from 5 p.m. Merz is accommodated in the Blair House, the President's guest house, which is considered a positive sign for German-American relations.

The agenda of the meeting includes several pressing international topics, including the continued conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza Strip, as well as Trump's customs policy and the role of the USA in NATO. However, experts assume that no significant progress in the Ukraine conflict is expected. The success of the meeting could be measured more in body language and the tone of the two guides.

a new German course

The meeting marks the beginning of a new era in German-American relationships after Merz has previously hit important European partners. This includes talks with Frenchman President Emmanuel Macron and other European leaders. According to CNN , Merz made clear signs of a strong interest in European security during a joint appearance in Kiev with the Ukrainian president Wolodymyr Selenskyj.

Merz, a convinced transatlantic, is committed to strong cooperation between Germany and the USA, especially with regard to NATO and military issues. Germany intends to provide 3.5% of its gross domestic product for military procurements and 1.5% for infrastructure, which corresponds to Trump's demands regarding NATO expenditure. Merz is perceived as well prepared, but must also be careful to avoid escalations, since Trump is known to stage his meetings as spectacular shows.

challenges in the negotiations

Despite his careful preparation, Merz will be confronted with difficulties, especially with regard to US-centered politics under Trump. Reviews of Germany, in particular with regard to the classification of the right -wing populist alternative for Germany (AfD) as extremist, could burden the meeting. Merz rejected US reviews and emphasizes that Germany is stable and democratic. He will also want to make this clear in the White House.

The urgent topics that are on the agenda, starting with the dispute over threatened tariffs, the Russian war against Ukraine and the discussions about NATO editions, are crucial for the meeting. Merz has to act tactically to convince the US side of Germany's positions and at the same time move Trump to a pro-Ukrainian course.

After the handshake, which is considered crucial, a photo shoot will take place, followed by confidential discussions and a press conference. Experts consider Trump's special handshake style, known as "Grab and Yank", as one of the first hurdles for Merz, who wants to appear in a suit and tie to leave a positive impression.

The coming hours could be formative for the future of transatlantic relationships. Merz hopes to be convincing in the Oval Office and to be able to present the progress of Germany as he keeps an eye on the pragmatic requirements of current political reality.