Germany's Merz heads to US for talks on Ukraine, trade, Middle East
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on June 5. PHOTO: REUTERS
Germany's Merz heads to US for talks on Ukraine, trade, Middle East
BERLIN - Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz will on June 5 meet US President Donald Trump for talks at the White House with the Ukraine and Middle East conflicts, as well as rocky trade relations, on the agenda.
The talks will focus on relations between the two countries, German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said on May 31, as well as 'the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and trade policy'.
The talks will be the first time the two leaders have met and mark Mr Merz's first official visit as Germany's new Chancellor.
Mr Trump has rattled Europe with shifts in security and trade policy since returning to the White House, including an array of tariffs on European partners.
Speaking at the WDR Europaforum conference on May 26, Mr Merz said the European Union could retaliate with measures against US technology companies or other tariffs if the transatlantic trade conflict escalates.
'We shouldn't react heedlessly and hectically,' Mr Merz said.
'But if we can't do anything else, we would need to use this tool.'
At the same time, Mr Merz's government, which last week said it would help Kyiv develop long-range missiles, wants to make sure that Washington will not walk away from Ukraine whilst it is at war with Russia.
Mr Merz and Mr Trump have already had several telephone conversations, with the two earlier in May agreeing to visit each other, without giving dates. AFP
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