Washington, D.C. - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with former U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., to discuss key international issues, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and rising antisemitism. The meeting, which took place on Thursday, included a press conference, a private lunch, and subsequent interviews with major American news outlets.
During the meeting, Merz emphasized the importance of U.S. support for Ukraine, urging Trump to consider further actions against Russia. The discussions also touched upon domestic issues, with Merz addressing concerns about antisemitism in Germany, attributing some of it to "imported antisemitism" related to immigration. He also discussed the AfD party.
The meeting was followed by interviews with CNN and Fox News, where Merz reiterated Germany's commitment to its democratic values and its ability to govern independently. While the meeting was seen as a positive step, no specific agreements were reached regarding Ukraine or U.S. tariffs on EU goods.
Merz's visit to the U.S. sparked mixed reactions. On the one hand, Merz was criticized for his perceived deference to Trump, while on the other hand, he was praised for the importance of the visit. In the long run, it remains to be seen how this meeting will affect fruitful cooperation between the U.S. and Germany.