Friedrich Merz to Meet Trump in First Major Test of German-US Ties
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will make his first official visit to the White House on Thursday, sitting down with U.S. President Donald Trump for a closely watched Oval Office meeting that could reshape the transatlantic alliance.
The high-stakes encounter comes as global tensions mount. Trump has renewed tariff threats against the European Union, the war in Ukraine grinds on, and international concern is growing over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Since taking office, Merz has embarked on a rapid diplomatic tour of European capitals, meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Together, the leaders made a symbolic visit to Kyiv, underscoring European solidarity with Ukraine. But a U.S. visit had remained conspicuously absent—until now.
This meeting, long anticipated, marks the formal reset of German-American relations under two leaders with starkly different styles. Merz is positioning Germany as a more assertive power in European security, aligning with Trump’s longstanding demand that NATO allies boost defense spending. Germany’s commitment to increased military funding will be a key pillar of their discussion.
A Fragile Alliance Under Pressure
Beyond Ukraine and NATO, tensions could emerge around domestic political issues. U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have sharply criticized Germany’s recent decision to intensify surveillance of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, labeling it “undemocratic.” Rubio declared the move “tyranny in disguise,” while Vance accused Germany’s political elite of trying to “rebuild the Berlin Wall.”
Germany’s Foreign Ministry hit back, defending the action as “a thorough & independent investigation to protect our Constitution & the rule of law.” Chancellor Merz later added: “Germany was liberated from tyranny by the U.S.; Germany is stable, liberal, and democratic today. We don’t need a remedial lesson in democracy.”
Tone and Expectations
Despite these frictions, officials anticipate a cordial meeting. Merz’s reputation for blunt but clear communication may work to his advantage.
“Friedrich Merz doesn’t mince words. He’s direct, transparent, and says what he thinks,” said Wolfgang Ischinger, former German ambassador to Washington. “That’s a style Donald Trump may come to appreciate.”
As Europe’s largest economy and a central player in global diplomacy, Germany’s posture under Merz could significantly influence future U.S. foreign policy in the region. Thursday’s meeting is expected to lay the groundwork for deeper cooperation—or spotlight major rifts.
That trademark bluntness—especially on Europe’s evolving relationship with the United States—has already stirred unease in diplomatic circles.
Moments after his center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party secured the largest share of votes in the February 23 election, positioning him to become Germany’s next chancellor, Friedrich Merz delivered a striking message: “Our highest priority must be to strengthen Europe swiftly and decisively, so we can gradually reduce our dependence on the United States.”
He didn’t stop there. Speaking candidly about the White House, Merz remarked, “This U.S. administration shows little concern for Europe’s future.”
Merz didn’t hold back his criticism of the U.S. in the days following his election victory.
Just last week, he issued a pointed response to comments made earlier this year by U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference. In that speech, Vance accused European allies of retreating from core democratic values like freedom of expression—remarks that Merz at the time said deeply unsettled him.
Speaking in Berlin on Thursday, Merz responded: “Vance asked a question to which we in Europe have the strongest and clearest answer: the unshakable belief that freedom and democracy are worth defending—firmly and, if necessary, through struggle.”
Despite these pointed remarks, observers note a noticeable softening in tone from Merz in the weeks since the election. Claudia Mayor, senior vice president at the German Marshall Fund, a think tank focused on transatlantic relations, remarked that Merz “has dialed back the rhetoric.”
Indeed, on May 8, Merz held a phone call with President Trump, during which he reaffirmed, “the United States remains an indispensable friend and partner of Germany.”
Shortly thereafter, at a business summit, Merz disclosed that he had extended an invitation to Trump to visit Germany. As part of the proposed visit, Merz said he would personally accompany the U.S. president to the rural town of Bad Dürkheim—the childhood home of Trump’s paternal grandfather.
In a sign of growing alignment, Merz’s government has also expressed support for Trump’s long-standing demand that NATO allies significantly boost defense spending. Germany now says it is prepared not only to meet but to advocate for a 5% of GDP target in military investment.
Germany’s top priority for the upcoming White House meeting is likely to be fostering a strong and constructive working relationship. In that regard, Chancellor Merz’s background and experience could prove instrumental.
Before entering office, Merz led Atlantik-Brücke (Atlantic Bridge), a prominent think tank dedicated to strengthening German-American ties. During his tenure, he earned a reputation as one of Germany’s most committed advocates of the transatlantic alliance.
He was a vocal supporter of a U.S.-EU trade agreement and has frequently expressed admiration for former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, whom he regards as a model of principled leadership. Merz also brings a deep understanding of the corporate world, having served on multiple supervisory boards—including that of U.S. investment giant BlackRock.
With his blend of political and business expertise, Merz enters the meeting well-positioned to steer U.S.-German relations toward common ground.
Ischinger, now chairman of the Munich Security Conference’s board of trustees, emphasized the importance of trust between Trump and Merz. “If Donald Trump feels that he can trust Friedrich Merz, that’s very important, and vice versa… because these are dangerous times, and there must not be any misunderstanding.”
Claudia Mayor echoed this sense of urgency, telling CNN that while the German government recognizes the need to maintain a good relationship with the White House, “deep inside, they are totally, deeply, utterly worried” about the Trump administration’s commitment to defending NATO allies, especially amid growing threats from an increasingly aggressive Russia.
Mayor described Germany’s dilemma: “We can’t afford the Americans leaving,” since despite Europe’s promises to boost defense spending, building up capabilities takes years. “At the same time, we don’t want them to leave, because we think we are better off together.”
She pointed to the recent German coalition agreement—a governing pact between the CDU and the Social Democratic Party (SPD)—and a major constitutional change that could unlock roughly half a trillion dollars for military spending as signs of this tension.
The constitutional revision to loosen Germany’s debt brake, pushed through by Merz in March before officially becoming chancellor, represented a “revolutionary change by German standards,” Mayor said, driven by dramatic shifts in international relations.
Yet, she added, the coalition pact portrays the transatlantic relationship as smoothly functioning. “If you’re such great partners, why did we need a constitutional change?” she asked.
A Western diplomat, speaking anonymously ahead of the meeting, described Merz’s recent statements as both “tactical and strategic.” The diplomat said Merz believes Germany must “grow up and take care of itself,” but does not see this happening within the next three years, making it vital to sustain a cooperative relationship with the U.S.
Ischinger also highlighted Merz’s pragmatism, suggesting the German chancellor might aim to emulate the personal rapport that French President Macron built with Trump.
Ultimately, Merz will want to ensure that “Donald Trump understands that if Friedrich Merz is a committed European, that does not mean Friedrich Merz is going to make the Atlantic wider,” Ischinger said.
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