Washington (AP) – A newly elected German leader engages with chairman Donald Trump, striving to ensure the US remains equipped with Western support in Washington on Thursday for Ukraine. This collaboration aims to alleviate trade tensions that threaten Europe’s largest economy and bolster its critical military spending.
Trump and Prime Minister Friedrich Merz have spoken multiple times since Merz assumed office on May 6. German officials report that the two leaders are starting to establish a “decent” rapport, reminiscent of Angela Merkel‘s interactions during Trump’s first term.
Merkel, 69, who was a conservative opponent of Merkel and succeeded her after her retirement from politics, brings an extensive business background that aligns him with Trump.
According to White House officials, discussions between Trump and Merz are expected to cover German defense spending, trade, Ukraine, and what they termed “Democrat reversal.” The source spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide insights into the upcoming talks.
Merz aims to avoid an Oval Office confrontation similar to those experienced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in recent months. Merz’s spokesperson, Stephen Cornelius, stated on Monday that the Prime Minister is “well prepared” for the meeting and that he and Trump share at least a decent phone relationship.
Uniting Western Support for Ukraine
Merz has immersed himself in Ukrainian diplomacy. Nearly a week after taking office, he welcomed Zelensky in Berlin and traveled to Kiev with other European leaders. There, he expressed gratitude to Trump for his backing of an unconditional ceasefire and rejected the notions of “deciding on peace” or “conquering” in Ukraine, advocating for stronger sanctions against Russia.
White House officials indicated that Trump will stress the importance of continued direct peace talks on Thursday.
In his first call since Merz’s appointment, Trump expressed support for Germany and other European nations’ efforts to pursue peace, as noted in reports from the German government. “We will continue to make every effort to create the greatest possible unity between our European and American partners, as it is crucial for the political West not to divide itself.”
Merz’s predecessor, Olaf Scholz, had elevated Germany to the second-largest military aid supplier to Ukraine after the US. Merz affirmed his commitment last week to assist Ukraine in developing a unique long-range missile system without range limitations.
Military Spending
Domestically, Merz’s government is increasingly urging Scholz to bolster German military forces following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. During Trump’s first term, Berlin faced criticism for failing to meet NATO’s goal of spending 2% of its GDP on defense, with Trump now seeking at least 5% from allies.
White House officials stated that the upcoming NATO summit, scheduled for later this month in the Netherlands, presents a “good opportunity” to ensure Germany meets the 5% target.
Scholz had established a special fund of 100 billion euros ($115 billion) to address years of underfunding (Bundeswehr). Germany had reached its 2% target thanks to this fund, which is projected to be depleted by 2027.
“The government will allocate all necessary funding to make the Bundeswehr into Europe’s most formidable traditional military in the future,” Merz stated. He has approved plans to spend 3.5% of GDP on defense budgets by 2032, alongside aims to add 1.5% for potential defense-related initiatives such as infrastructure.
Germany’s Economy and Tariffs
One of Merz’s primary objectives is to rejuvenate Germany’s economy, which has contracted for the past two years, and restore it as a “locomotive of growth.” However, Trump’s threat of tariffs poses a potential challenge for a nation where exports are critical. Current forecasts suggest the economy may stagnate in 2025.
Germany exported $160 billion in goods to the US last year, according to the Census Bureau, significantly more than the $85 billion the US shipped to Germany. This trade deficit is something Trump aims to address.
The US President has particularly focused on the German automotive industry, which includes prominent brands like Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Volkswagen. Americans purchased $36 billion worth of vehicles and parts from Germany last year, while Germans bought $10.2 billion worth from the US.
Trump’s proposed 25% tariffs on cars and parts aim to increase the cost of German-made vehicles, with hopes that companies will shift manufacturing to locations like Volkswagen in Tennessee and BMW in South Carolina.
Trade negotiations fall under the purview of the European Union’s Executive Committee, limiting what can be accomplished in Washington, where Trump views tariffs as beneficial rather than harmful. Recently, he postponed a planned 50% tariff on goods imported from the European Union.
Right-Wing Tensions
One contributor to rising tensions is Vice President JD Vance’s recent speech in Munich, delivered shortly before the German elections in February, where he discussed the state of democracy in Europe, claiming there is no need for a “firewall.”
This term is often used by mainstream German parties to reject collaboration with the far-right Alternative for Germany, which secured second place in the election and has become the largest opposition party.
Merz criticized these remarks, stating to ARD TV last month, “We wouldn’t make such statements in Germany either, in the US.”
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Moolson reported from Berlin. Associated Press Writer Josh Balk contributed to this report from Washington.
Source: apnews.com