Trump, Merz discuss Ukraine and trade in Oval Office
US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have kicked off a White House meeting with talks on Ukraine and trade but none of the fireworks that have characterised some other Oval Office meetings with foreign leaders.
Trump described Merz as a good representative of Germany and also "difficult," which he suggested was a compliment.
He said US troops would remain in Germany and said it was positive that the government there was spending more money on defence.
Merz said he was pleased to be there and preparing for a deeper relationship with the United States.
The two leaders met in the Oval Office, which has been the site of showdowns between Trump and visiting dignitaries including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
.@POTUS: "As you know, @_FriedrichMerz just won a great election... What's going on with Russia-Ukraine, and other things we talked about, but Russia-Ukraine in particular... we'd like to see it end." pic.twitter.com/SsuxyRaJk1— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 5, 2025
Not so on Thursday.
Trump and Merz, both conservatives, appeared to have a warm rapport from the start.
Merz started with praise, thanking Trump for putting him up in the Blair House, a presidential guest dwelling across from the White House, and Trump thanked him for doing so.
But tensions over trade simmered under the surface of their encounter.
The United States and the European Union are in talks to reach a trade deal, which would be critical for Germany's export-heavy economy, but Trump said he would be fine with an agreement or with tariffs.
"We'll end up hopefully with a trade deal," Trump said.
"I'm okay with the tariffs or we make a deal with the trade."
Merz, who took office last month, told reporters ahead of the meeting that they would discuss Russia's war in Ukraine, US tariffs and the NATO military alliance in the meeting but said he was not expecting major breakthroughs.
Germany is the second largest military and financial backer of Ukraine in its defence against Russia's invasion, after the United States.
Merz and Trump could find some common ground given they share business backgrounds, membership in conservative political parties, a focus on fighting illegal immigration and a fondness for golf, said Steven Sokol, president and CEO of the American Council on Germany.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
an hour ago
- Sky News AU
China has its own ‘strategic agenda' when it comes to their trade war with the US
ASPI Senior Analyst in Defence Strategy Malcolm Davis claims the phone call between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping has 'not at all' cooled tensions between the leaders amid their tariff war. 'No matter what the Trump administration says to China … China has its own strategic agenda,' Mr Davis told Sky News Australia. 'Trump very well may go to Beijing ... but at the end of the day, Chinese are still going to make their moves in the Indo-Pacific.'
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
What the Trump-Musk Feud Means for SpaceX and NASA
The U.S. government relies on SpaceX to support NASA and other agencies, and the company has received more $20 billion in federal contracts for it. As Musk and Trump threaten to cut ties, here's what that would mean for the U.S.'s space ambitions.
Sky News AU
2 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Joe Rogan left shocked as he reacts to Elon Musk and Donald Trump feud during live podcast recording while guest FBI director Kash Patel refuses to weigh in
Joe Rogan's live reaction to the outrageous feud between Elon Musk and Donald Trump has been captured in the latest episode of his mega-popular podcast. The disagreement between the pair, who appeared to have a strong relationship in the early months of Trump's second term as President, started after Musk lashed out at the President's signature "big beautiful bill" which would unleash trillions in tax cuts and slash spending but also add to the USD$36 trillion debt. Musk's attack on the bill came after he finished his tenure with the administration overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency. The disagreement over the bill led the pair to trade barbs with one another through social media and at the leader of the free world's press conferences. President Trump on Thursday said he was "disappointed" in Musk who had earlier described the bill as a "disgusting abomination", before the Tesla founder accused the commander-in-chief of being in files relating to dead sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In episode 2334 of the Joe Rogan Experience, which dropped on Friday, US time, the podcast host who was unaware of the unfolding drama at the time, had it brought to his attention about three-quarters through his discussion with FBI director Kash Patel. Rogan's producer Jamie noticed the tweets, and brought them up screen for the host who was left shocked by how rapidly the bitter feud had developed. "Jesus Christ", Rogan said in response to Musk claiming Trump's name was in the Epstein files. "Someone should take (Musk's) phone away. That's a crazy thing to say. How does he know? Does he know that Donald Trump is in the Epstein files or does he have access to the Epstein files?" Mr Patel refused to take part in speculating about the claims or weighing into the argument adding: "I'm not participating in that conversation". "I don't know how he would (have access to the Epstein files) but I'm just staying out of the Trump/Elon thing, that's way outside my lane. I know my lane and that ain't it," he said. Rogan continued in disbelief, responding: "what the f**k are they doing?" "I mean I understand (Musk) owns Twitter (but) I think it's bad for your mental things public all day and arguing with people all day is bad for you." Mr Patel pivoted away, as he directed the conversation back to the FBI. Asked about the feud on a phone call with CNN, President Trump kept his response short. 'I'm not even thinking about Elon," he said on Friday (local time). "He's got a problem. The poor guy's got a problem." CNN host Dana Bash then asked the President if he had spoken to Musk. 'No. I won't be speaking to him for a while I guess, but I wish him well," he said.
