Germany's Merz in Washington for talks with Trump – DW – 06/05/2025
Skip next section Merz says he is ready to discuss German domestic politics with Trump
06/05/2025
June 5, 2025 Merz says he is ready to discuss German domestic politics with Trump
Germany's new Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said he is ready to discuss German domestic issues with US President Donald Trump during their first meeting at the White House.
"If we also talk about German domestic policy, we are welcome to do so," he said ahead of the meeting.
"However, I will also be very clear about my opinion, if necessary," Merz added.
But he also stressed that Germany does not interfere or comment when it comes to American domestic politics.
Meanwhile, the Associated Press news agency quoted a White House official as saying that Trump would likely raise issues such as German defense spending, trade, Ukraine, and what an official called "democratic backsliding" at the meeting.
The anonymous source explained that the Trump administration believes freedom of expression has deteriorated in Germany. This position was made clear during a speech by Vice President JD Vance during his address at the Munich Security Conference in February.
According to a press statement from the chancellor's office, Merz said that he wants to thank Trump first for the invitation and then present him with a small gift.
The German chancellor is prepared to talk about the war in Ukraine and ways Berlin and Washington can work together to end it.
Merz also said that he and Trump will also have to discuss trade policy. "Germany is one of America's largest investors. Few countries invest more in the US than Germany does," he added.
The statement also outlined NATO as another topic of discussion.
"We've amended the German Basic Law. Now, we can truly make the necessary expenditures to strengthen the Bundeswehr," he said in the statement, adding that Germany's goal is to have the strongest conventional army in Europe.
"However, I still don't expect any breakthroughs on the three major issues mentioned," the German chancellor said.
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