WASHINGTON (CP) – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrives at the White House Thursday hoping to strengthen his country’s relationship with President Trump and position Germany as a key European leader, as he prepares for his first Oval Office meeting since taking office in early May.
Chancellor Merz, a center-right politician and former lawyer, wants to lead Europe on international trade, security issues, and the ongoing war in Ukraine while making Germany essential to Europe’s efforts to become more independent. The new German leader has spent his first month in office preparing for this important meeting with Trump, knowing that the Trump administration has shown particular criticism toward Germany among European nations that the president views more as competitors than allies. Merz hopes that he and Trump will find common ground during their discussions about global challenges.
Trump officials changed the meeting schedule at the last minute Wednesday, moving the Oval Office meeting to the beginning of the visit before a working lunch, rather than allowing the leaders to discuss any disagreements privately first. Merz and his team understand how important this first meeting between the leaders will be, with German officials speaking to advisers of other world leaders who have visited Washington to learn from their experiences. The chancellor has also spoken directly with several of those leaders, including a recent phone call with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, to prepare for his White House visit.
The meeting comes as Merz seeks to reassert Germany’s role on the global stage and become the most influential German leader since former Chancellor Angela Merkel’s peak years. His success in building rapport with Trump could determine whether Germany can effectively lead European efforts on key international issues while maintaining strong ties with the United States. The chancellor’s team knows that other foreign leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, have faced challenging moments during their Oval Office meetings with Trump, making preparation crucial for this diplomatic encounter.