Media: Berlin-Paris reset wobbles as trade, defence divide deepens

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to rekindle the once-powerful Franco-German engine that has historically driven the European Union forward. However, just months after this symbolic reboot, the alliance is already showing signs of strain.

The leaders are set to meet again on the evening of July 23 at a villa on the outskirts of Berlin for what is expected to be a cordial evening of conversation, jazz, and dinner, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The warm personal chemistry between them is evident. On his first full day in office in May, Merz visited Paris and declared a “new Franco-German start for Europe,” claiming he had already developed a “deep personal bond” with Macron.

“The atmosphere is completely different,” said one senior German government official. “I’ve never experienced this kind of interaction in all these years.” An official from the Élysée Palace echoed that sentiment, saying: “The Franco-German reflex has been rediscovered.”

Yet despite renewed goodwill and alignment on several policy areas—including deregulation, migration, and nuclear energy—Merz and Macron are struggling to overcome fundamental disagreements, particularly in the areas of defense and trade.

“Scholz failed because he is smart and simply realized how difficult it is and then lost interest,” a conservative German lawmaker said, comparing Merz’s predecessor’s pragmatic approach to the current chancellor’s ambitions. “We have the desire” to make the Franco-German relationship work, he added, “but it is still difficult.”

Recent efforts have yielded some progress. Berlin appears ready to soften its longstanding opposition to nuclear energy, and both leaders are reportedly cooperating on curbing asylum numbers and possibly defining the role of France’s nuclear deterrent within broader European defence.

However, deep divisions remain. France opposed a recent German initiative—backed by US President Donald Trump—for Europe to supply Ukraine with US-made weapons. Paris continues to push for European-made solutions, while Berlin supports broader transatlantic cooperation. Tensions also persist over the next-generation European fighter jet project.

On trade, Merz is pushing for swift EU trade deals, including one with the US, to ease pressure on German industries. France, however, demands stronger terms and is resisting an EU-Mercosur agreement over concerns about domestic agriculture.

“There simply is a lot of time pressure,” said Jacob Ross of the German Council on Foreign Relations. “There is only a year left in which they can somehow reasonably work together.” After that, he warned, French politics will descend into election mode, leaving Germany without a reliable partner.

By Vafa Guliyeva