Overview

• Merz said he has “no doubt” that the United States will remain in NATO after President Trump gave a clear “no” during their Oval Office meeting.
• The leaders held candid talks on the Ukraine war, with Merz calling for sustained pressure on Russia and noting his position differed from Trump’s.
• Merz backed Trump’s call for NATO members to boost defense spending above 5 percent of GDP, and Trump affirmed that U.S. forces will continue to be stationed in Germany.
• Speaking on Capitol Hill, Merz warned U.S. senators that many underestimate the scale of Russia’s rearmament and urged them to recognize the threat.
• They appointed representatives to deepen German-American trade talks under the EU framework and Trump agreed to visit Germany, possibly including a stop in his grandfather’s hometown.