Merz gets warm welcome from Trump at the Oval Office

Yahoo

2 days ago

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz sought to strengthen ties with the United States during a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday.
"We are having so much in common our history. We owe the Americans a lot. We will never forget that," Merz said during a press briefing with Trump in the Oval Office in Washington, referring in part to Trump's German heritage.
Trump flattered his guest, calling him a "very respected man."
"We're going to have a great relationship with your country," the US president said.
A different tone from previous visits
Trump adopted a notably friendly tone during the meeting - a major contrast to two previous visits. When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa were in the Oval Office earlier this year, Trump berated his guests.
On key issues such as Ukraine and defence spending, Trump struck conciliatory notes. The Republican remarked that Merz had won "a great election" and joked that Merz could be a "difficult."
"You wouldn't want me to say you're easy, right?" the president quipped. " negotiator. Trump joked that Merz was "difficult" but called him a great representative of Germany. The usually combative US president, known for provocative or dismissive remarks about his counterparts, presented himself as particularly mild-mannered.
Trump even praised Germany's defence efforts, which he had previously sharply criticized sharply - and also complimented the chancellor on his English.
Allegations from Vice President JD Vance that Germany restricts freedom of expression and marginalizes parties like the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) were not raised - even though Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were at the event. Merz had been prepared to refute them.
"You speak such good English. Is it as good as your German would you say? Trump asked.
That provoked some laughs from both Merz and the reporters in the room.
"No, it's not my mother tongue, but I try to to understand almost everything, and yeah, to speak as good as I can, the chancellor replied.
How well do Trump and Merz know each other?
The two had only briefly met once many years ago in New York. Since Merz took office four weeks ago, they have spoken multiple times on the phone – both one-on-one and in larger groups about the war in Ukraine. According to German sources, Merz now has the US president's mobile number, exchanges text messages with him regularly, and addresses him by his first name.
Until now, Trump has primarily relied on French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as his main European contacts. Merz now aims to step into a leadership role, hoping his phone number will become Europe's go-to one.
Merz spoke surprisingly openly about their first one-on-one phone call during the WDR Europe Forum a few days ago. The two reportedly discussed topics such as the American pope and the US city of Chicago, which both have a fondness for. Merz knows the United States well and once worked for the US investment firm, BlackRock. His private-sector background is something he shares with Trump, who was a real estate entrepreneur.
Controversial topics avoided
At the Oval Office press encounter, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio stood alongside Trump. These are the same government members who recently accused Germany and other European allies of restricting freedom of expression and marginalizing parties like the AfD.
Before his visit to Washington, Merz had made it clear that he considered the criticism from the US over how the German government is dealing with the AFD "overreaching" but that topic was absent in the Oval Office.
A journalist attempted to ask about it but was unable to get through. Around 50 media representatives were present in the Oval Office. Merz appeared at the White House without an interpreter – a gesture to build trust.
However, the chancellor had sought advice in advance from several heads of state and government who had already met Trump, including Zelensky, Ramaphosa, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
What was the top topic of the visit?
Efforts to end the war in Ukraine were the main focus. Merz has positioned himself among the leading Europeans on this issue but has recently expressed frustration over the lack of progress. Trump sees Merz as an ally on the matter. Like him, Merz would like to see the fighting stop, Trump said. Both are unhappy that this does not currently seem likely.
However, Trump expressed optimism, saying that at some point the "bloodshed" would come to an end. Once again, he left open the question of whether he was prepared to impose new sanctions on Russia - but also did not rule out sanctions on both parties.
"It could be on both countries – it takes two to tango," Trump said.
Merz, however, was clear that Russia is the agressor and instigator of the conflict, while Trump was not so unequivacal.
"We are on the side of Ukraine," Merz said, adding that Germany and the European Union are "trying to make them stronger and stronger."
Later in the press conference German Chancellor Friedrich Merz did not stress the differences.
"We both agree on this war and how terrible this war is going on and we are both looking for ways to stop it very soon."
Senate bill on US sanctions on Russia
Trump said he hadn't read the Senate bill on US sanctions, drafted by Lindsey Graham, a Republican and Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat, but said "they'll be guided by me. That's the way it's supposed to be."
The US has a three-body form of government, which includes the judiciary, the legislative and executive branches - with each supposed to check each other, though Trump critics have warned that he, as chief exectuive, he is usurping power from the other branches.
Trump said he would have the Russia-Ukraine war stopped before he took office and had then claimed he could end it within 24 hours.