Bloomberg: Merz prepares for delicate talks with Trump on trade, Ukraine support

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to meet US President Donald Trump face to face for the first time since taking office, marking a potentially pivotal moment in transatlantic relations.

After nearly a month in office, the 69-year-old conservative will travel to Washington amid rising tensions over trade tariffs and US support for Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports, citing Bloomberg.

Unlike previous meetings, which largely reaffirmed the postwar alliance, this encounter carries heavier stakes. German exporters face stiff tariffs in Trump’s ongoing trade dispute with the European Union, while American commitment to Ukraine’s defence against Russia remains uncertain.

Sources close to the German chancellery say Merz is preparing for a wide range of outcomes—from warm handshakes like those seen with French President Emmanuel Macron to a harsher reception akin to that given to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Having no prior government experience, Merz has consulted several European leaders, including Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and Finland’s Alexander Stubb, to prepare for the challenge.

While Merz has at times expressed confidence in common ground with Trump, including their shared business backgrounds and scepticism of former Chancellor Angela Merkel, he has also mocked Trump’s volatility and faced disappointment amid recent political tensions, such as accusations from US Vice President JD Vance against Germany.

With China’s growing influence and Russia’s war continuing, the United States remains an essential ally, and Merz aims to maintain strong transatlantic ties despite the challenges.

As Jens Spahn, parliamentary leader of Merz’s conservative bloc, noted: “The US is and remains a friend and partner also in difficult times.” The Chancellor’s handling of this high-stakes meeting could define the early course of his tenure.

By Aghakazim Guliyev