Merz travels to Trump: a troublesome to see go to | EUROtoday

With Friedrich Merz, a satisfied transatlantic travels to Washington. But many certainties have disappeared with US President Trump. What could be anticipated from the Chancellor’s go to within the United States.

Friedrich Merz grew up with sure certainties. One certainty: the USA – this mighty nation on the opposite aspect of the Atlantic – are shut companions, even associates. Throughout his life, Merz lived this specific German-American relationship, whether or not as an financial consultant, as chairman of the Atlantic Bridge and, final however not least, as a politician in several roles.

It was all of the extra shocking what the newly baked election winner Merz solely gave a couple of minutes after the primary forecast dwell on tv. The go to of the Ukrainian President within the White House resulted in a debacle just some days earlier. Trump roughly threw Selensky out after a dispute in entrance of operating cameras.

Europe wants the United States – at the least nonetheless

These footage have modified the view of Merz to the USA. Or as Merz places it on the election night: “At the latest since Trump’s statements a week ago, it is clear that this part of the Americans is largely indifferent to the fate of Europe.” But it’s of no use. Europe wants the United States – at the least nonetheless.

Reality counts in politics and it might hardly be tougher. Three matters are more likely to decide the inaugural go to of the transatlantic Friedrich Merz: the dispute over the threatened tariffs, the Russian battle towards Ukraine and the related dialogue about NATO spending.

But at the least in NATO editions, Germany strikes to Trump’s calls for in huge steps. Germany is extra to do on the best way, says Merz. Specifically, 3.5 % of the gross home product for navy procurement and an extra 1.5 % for the required infrastructure needs to be spent. Together, three -digit billions of billions are.

A paradigm shift in Germany. 3.5 plus 1.5 does 5. And that’s not precisely the quantity that Donald Trump has been demanding for a very long time. Here Merz might rating within the Oval Office and click on on the US President: Germany is transferring.

Hope on US assist for Ukraine

This motion could also be a very good second to speak about Ukraine. Because right here the US authorities is essentially the most involved with Europeans. Trump retains altering his place. Sometimes he threatens to Ukraine, then all of a sudden insulted Putin. He kills lots of people and he has no concept what to do with hell Putin.

In the European capitals and in addition with German Chancellor, hope spreads within the face of such sentences. Hope that Trump is on her aspect and put Putin underneath extra strain.

At the identical time, the Federal Chancellor additionally is aware of: the half -life Trumpscher Envents is extraordinarily quick. It might be that the US President will take a look at the battle otherwise tomorrow. From the German Federal Government’s perspective, it could be a hit to one way or the other hold Trump on the Pro-Ukrainian course.

Troop

As if every part was not already sophisticated sufficient, there may be additionally the subject of tariffs. According to Trump’s favourite phrase. Again and once more he threatens Europe with juicy serves, a nightmare for the export nation Germany.

Friedrich Merz desires to seem right here fairly confidently, in spite of everything, he represents the third strongest financial system on this planet. In reality, Europe isn’t empty on this dispute. A lever might be the next taxation of the tech giants from the Silicon Valley.

Merz considers the end result within the commerce dispute open. It couldn’t be potential to get issues on high of one another, he stated in Berlin a number of days in the past. Then Europe needed to resolve how aggressive it desires to be. “If necessary without America” ​​- one other sentence that Merz in all probability could not have imagined prior to now.

Anyone who pursues Trump’s method is aware of that the joint look within the Oval Office is troublesome to plan. Little issues can be certain that the US president will get indignant and scolding off. It is alleged that Friedrich Merz has ready intensively for the encounter.

But what occurs when Donald Trump begins with cultural wrestle unexpectedly? When, how his Vice JD Vance did it on the Munich Security Conference, he talks a few lack of freedom of expression in Germany? Or praises the AfD? Then Merz has no selection however to improvise.