German Chancellor Merz Meets Trump, Signals Shift in Transatlantic Relations

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is making his inaugural visit to Washington for a high-stakes meeting with President Donald Trump, focusing on Ukraine, trade, and defense policies. While Merz advocates for steadfast support to Ukraine, including lifting range restrictions on weapons supplied, he also seeks a strengthened transatlantic partnership that balances German and U.S. interests, particularly in trade and energy cooperation. Merz's foreign policy contrasts with his predecessor by emphasizing a tougher stance on Russia, stronger deterrence capabilities, and upgrading Germany's military to be Europe's strongest conventional force. Despite efforts to build rapport, including informal communication and personal compliments, Merz's spontaneous remarks and style have raised concerns about potential diplomatic missteps. Alternative for Germany (AfD) figures praise Trump's presidency for providing an opportunity to reset transatlantic relations away from current EU priorities, emphasizing German industrial and energy interests. Meanwhile, European leaders, including Merz's government, maintain a firm stance urging pressure on Russia to engage in peace talks to resolve the Ukraine conflict.