Trump Gives Merz a Warm Oval Office Welcome

“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.

During his meeting with Trump, the two had agreed to strengthen their cooperation on trade issues, Merz told public broadcaster ARD.

Germany is also prepared to take on more leadership responsibility in Europe when it comes to the future of trade agreements, Merz said.

Trump’s unpredictable tariff policies have caused concern in Germany, a major export nation. Merz said the tariff dispute between the United States and the European Union was a key topic during a lunch meeting with the US president. Merz said he had tried to explain how the EU was formed and emphasized that it was not a threat to America. “We want to find a common solution here,” Merz stressed.

A different tone from previous visits

Trump adopted a notably friendly tone during the press 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.

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.

Trump even praised Germany’s defence efforts, which he had previously sharply criticized sharply – and also complimented the chancellor on his English.

“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.

Successful visit

After his meeting with Trump, Merz praised their talks.

“Today, we have laid the foundation for very good personal but also politically constructive discussions,” Merz told ARD.

He added that he was returning to Germany “with the feeling that I have gained someone in the American president with whom I can communicate well on a very personal level.”

How well do Trump and Merz know each other?

The two had only briefly met once many years ago in New York, but 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.

Controversial topics avoided

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 the some 50 media representatives present. 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, 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 aggressor and instigator of the conflict, while Trump was not so unequivocal.

“We are on the side of Ukraine,” Merz said, adding that Germany and the EU are “trying to make them stronger and stronger.” Later in the press conference Merz did not stress the differences.

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“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 executive, 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.

By dpa correspondents