Merz to meet Trump in US for talks on Ukraine, trade, Middle East
BERLIN: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will meet with US President Donald Trump on Thursday for talks at the White House, with the Ukraine and Mideast conflicts on the agenda along with rocky trade relations.
The talks will mark Merz's first official visit as chancellor since taking office in early May, and be the first time the two leaders have met.
The two leaders will discuss relations between the two countries, German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said Saturday, as well as 'the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and trade policy'.
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 last Monday, 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,' Merz said. 'But if we can't do anything else, we would need to use this tool.'
But 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 during its war with Russia.
Merz and Trump have already had several telephone conversations, with the two agreeing earlier this month to visit each other, without giving dates.
With regards to the conflict in Gaza, Merz has sought to heighten the pressure on Israel over its policies, balancing Berlin's support for the Israeli government with criticism of how it is fighting in the territory.
'I no longer understand what the Israeli army is now doing in the Gaza Strip,' he told public broadcaster WDR last week, warning the Israeli government to not do that which 'friends are no longer willing to accept'.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
33 minutes ago
- The Sun
UK to build attack subs as part of major defence review
GLASGOW: Britain announced it will build 12 new attack submarines as it launched a major defence review Monday to move the country to 'war-fighting readiness' in the face of 'Russian aggression' and the changing nature of conflict. Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned that 'the threat we now face is more serious, more immediate and more unpredictable than at any time since the Cold War,' as he launched the review in Glasgow. 'We face war in Europe, new nuclear risks, daily cyber-attacks, growing Russian aggression in our waters, menacing our skies,' he added. The Strategic Defence Review, which assesses threats facing the UK and makes recommendations, said that Britain is entering 'a new era of threat'. As a result, Starmer said his government aimed to deliver three 'fundamental changes'. 'First, we are moving to war-fighting readiness as the central purpose of our armed forces,' he said. 'Every part of society, every citizen of this country, has a role to play, because we have to recognise that things have changed in the world of today. The front-line, if you like, is here,' he added. Secondly, the prime minister insisted that UK defence policy will 'always be NATO first', and finally that the UK 'will innovate and accelerate innovation at a wartime pace so we can meet the threats of today and of tomorrow.' 'Blueprint for strength' The UK has been racing to rearm in the face of the threat from Russia and fears that US President Donald Trump will no longer help protect Europe. Starmer said it would serve as 'a blueprint for strength and security for decades to come', taking into account the increasing use of drones and artificial intelligence on the battlefield. His government pledged in February to lift defence spending to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2027 in the 'largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War'. And despite budget constraints, it aims for spending to rise to three percent in the next parliamentary term, due in 2029. The Labour government has said it will cut UK overseas aid to help fund the spending. Based on the recommendations of the review, which was led by former NATO secretary general George Robertson, the government said Sunday that it would boost stockpiles and weapons production capacity, which could be scaled up if needed. This includes £1.5 billion ($2 billion) for building 'at least six munitions and energetics factories', procuring 7,000 domestically built long-range weapons, and spending £6 billion on munitions over the current parliamentary term. The government also said late Sunday that it would build up to 12 new attack submarines as part of its AUKUS military alliance with Australia and the United States. Currently the UK is set to operate seven nuclear-powered Astute Class attack submarines, which will be replaced by the 12 AUKUS submarines from the late 2030s. The defence ministry also said it would invest £15 billion in its nuclear warhead programme and last week pledged £1 billion for the creation of a 'cyber command' to help on the battlefield. China 'challenge' The last such defence review was commissioned in 2021 by the previous Conservative government, and was revised in 2023 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. While launching the new review, Robertson said it would tackle threats from Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, calling them a 'deadly quartet'. But in an op-ed article for The Sun newspaper, Starmer did not mention China, while warning that 'The Kremlin is working hand in hand with its cronies in Iran and North Korea.' The softer rhetoric on China is in line with the Labour government's efforts to thaw relations with Beijing, which reached new lows under former prime minister Rishi Sunak's Conservative government. The review describes Russia as an 'immediate and pressing' threat, but calls China a 'sophisticated and persistent challenge', according to The Guardian. At a time when Washington is demanding that its NATO allies bolster their own defences, Britain is considering strengthening its deterrent by buying nuclear-missile capable aircraft from the United States, The Sunday Times reported.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Berlin congratulates Polish nationalist on win, urges cooperation
BERLIN: Germany's president on Monday congratulated nationalist Karol Nawrocki on winning Poland's presidential election, calling on the two countries to 'cooperate closely based on democracy and rule of law.' Poland and Germany are key to 'ensure a future of security, freedom and prosperity for Europe', Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in a statement, after Nawrocki defeated pro-EU Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski in a runoff Sunday. The nationalist historian's victory is a major blow to Poland's pro-EU government and could revive tensions with the bloc as well as with Berlin. After new Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Warsaw last month, Nawrocki accused Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk of being the 'butler' of the German state. He has frequently called for Berlin to pay reparations for World War II, when Nazi Germany invaded Poland. He told a Polish daily that 'reparations are about historical justice' and pledged to 'fight for them from the first day of my presidency'. In his statement, Steinmeier said that Berlin 'is aware of its perpetual responsibility for the great suffering that Germans have brought upon Poland'. Migration is another issue set to cause friction, with Nawrocki urging stricter border controls with Germany to stop migrants from crossing into neighbouring Poland. Soon after taking office, Merz announced plans to crack down on irregular migration by rejecting most asylum seekers at its borders -- moves that have already drawn criticism from Tusk. Steinmeier nevertheless said he hoped that Poland and German would work closely together 'in a very challenging time for Europe' 'A strong Europe needs good German-Polish cooperation,' he said.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Iran demands US ‘guarantee' it will lift sanctions in nuclear talks
TEHRAN: Iran pressed the United States on Monday for guarantees that it will drop sanctions as a condition for a nuclear deal, after the White House reportedly sent a proposal it deemed 'acceptable'. With Iran and the United States engaged in talks over Tehran's nuclear programme since April, Washington's proposal for a deal came after a leaked UN report said Iran had stepped up production of highly enriched uranium. Iran's top diplomat and lead nuclear negotiator was due to meet the head of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Cairo on Monday, a day after the report was leaked. Iran has rejected the report, warning it would retaliate if European powers that have threatened to reimpose nuclear sanctions 'exploit' the report. The United States and Western countries have accused Iran of seeking nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran has repeatedly denied, insisting it needs uranium for civilian power production. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday that he had received 'elements' of a US proposal for a nuclear deal following five rounds of talks mediated by Oman. On Monday, foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told a news conference in Tehran: 'We want to guarantee that the sanctions are effectively lifted... 'So far, the American side has not wanted to clarify this issue,' he added. 'Red line' His remarks come a day after a report by the UN agency showed Iran has stepped up production of uranium enriched up to 60 percent -- close to the roughly 90 percent level needed for atomic weapons. The US envoy in the nuclear talks said last month that the administration of President Donald Trump would oppose any enrichment. 'An enrichment programme can never exist in the state of Iran ever again. That's our red line. No enrichment,' Steve Witkoff told Breitbart News. Iran has vowed to keep enriching uranium 'with or without a deal' on its nuclear programme. The United States has sent Iran a proposal for a nuclear deal that the White House called 'acceptable' and in its 'best interest' to accept, US media reported on Saturday. The New York Times, citing officials familiar with the diplomatic exchanges, said the proposal calls on Iran to stop all enrichment and suggests creating a regional grouping to produce nuclear power. Iran has held five rounds of talks with the United States in search of a new agreement to replace the deal with major powers that Trump abandoned during his first term in 2018.
