Overview

• Merz described the Oval Office meeting as constructive and said the administration is open to discussion after Trump gave a clear “no” to any NATO withdrawal and vowed to keep nearly 35,000 US troops in Germany.
• Trump compared the Russia-Ukraine war to fighting children and suggested allowing it to continue briefly before mediation, while Merz insisted on increasing pressure on Russia to end the conflict.
• Both leaders backed higher NATO defense budgets, with Trump pushing for members to spend 5% of GDP and Merz supporting a plan to raise Germany’s contribution above the current 2% target.
• Trade frictions over US steel, aluminum and auto tariffs remain on the agenda, with both sides arranging for EU-US negotiators to seek a long-term deal under the European framework.
• Merz presented Trump with a gold-framed birth certificate of his grandfather and secured the president’s acceptance of an invitation to visit Germany, including a trip to Kallstadt.