Merz to Meet Trump in Washington on June 5

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will visit Washington on Thursday, June 5, for his first in-person meeting with US President Donald Trump since taking office in May. The two leaders will discuss the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, developments in the Middle East, and intensifying transatlantic trade disputes, with a focus on achieving a Ukraine ceasefire and continued support for Kyiv. Merz has warned that the European Union may take action against US technology firms if trade tensions escalate further. Trump's new tariffs on European goods and his shifting security policies have unsettled European allies. The meeting will also address concerns about Germany's political climate, particularly regarding the government's approach to the far-right AfD party. The visit is seen as a key effort to maintain Western unity and address diplomatic and economic challenges facing US-German relations.