Overview

• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held his first in-person talks with US President Donald Trump in Washington, starting with a public Oval Office appearance that was moved up before their working lunch.
• Trump praised Merz’s English and signaled strong ties, while privately expressing disappointment in Elon Musk’s criticism of his budget plan.
• The leaders discussed the Ukraine war, transatlantic trade disputes and NATO security, with Germany reaffirming its commitment to boost defense spending and support for Ukraine.
• Despite setting a collaborative tone, the meeting produced no concrete agreements on lifting US-EU tariffs or advancing diplomatic efforts to end the Ukraine conflict.
• Trump accepted Merz’s invitation to visit Germany, with plans underway to bring him to Kallstadt, the ancestral home of his forebears.