It is a trip long planned but now unfolding under very different circumstances: On Monday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz departs for Washington and on Tuesday will meet US President Donald Trump amid an escalating conflict in Iran and the Middle East. Merz arrives with a broad agenda that has been upended by recent events.
Merz says Germany faces a “dilemma” over the Middle East war. He insisted Germany stands behind the US and Israel and condemned Iran’s attacks on Gulf states, US bases and Israel. At the same time he acknowledged a difficult reality: the original strikes by Israel and the US are not clearly covered by international law. He also said many Iranians feel relieved at the prospect of the current mullah regime weakening after decades of unsuccessful attempts to curb Tehran’s nuclear and missile programs. Merz warned, however, that US and Israeli action carries significant risks.
Together with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Merz issued a statement saying the countries were prepared to take “military defensive measures.” German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul clarified that Germany would not participate in further offensive attacks: the Bundeswehr would defend itself if attacked, but Germany has no intention of joining new strikes. German troops are stationed at bases in Jordan and Iraq.
DW chief correspondent Michaela Küfner, accompanying Merz to the US, argues Merz’s refusal to “lecture the US and Israel” marks a break with using international law as the primary reference point, and that the trip will make clear what the US now expects from Europeans. Merz must also press another major concern: ensuring Europe is back at the table for negotiations over Ukraine, with the future of the continent not decided over Europeans’ heads.
Trade policy is expected to dominate Merz’s talks with Trump. The US Supreme Court recently struck down key aspects of Trump’s tariff policy, including measures that affected Germany and the EU, a ruling Merz described as an expected limit on executive power. But the court left unresolved many contentious tariff questions: it struck down the general tariff rate but not sector-specific levies. Trump has indicated he will use a different legal mechanism to impose new tariffs of 10% for most countries and has threatened rates up to 15%.
Government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said the visit may be well-timed to discuss next steps with a coordinated EU position. Since taking office, Merz has been cautious in dealings with Trump and counted his earlier, largely uneventful White House visit as a success. Yet when European powers presented a united front over Trump’s interest in Greenland, a more assertive stance paid off: Germany and NATO partners reassured Denmark and Greenlanders of solidarity, and Trump did not pursue the issue further.
A darker shadow over the talks is Ukraine. Four years into Russia’s attack, the prospect of a negotiated peace remains uncertain. Even Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has suggested his country might have to cede territory temporarily if hostilities cease, though Ukraine rejects giving up areas not seized by Moscow. Merz will likely press Washington on Ukraine’s importance, but he may find limited sympathy from Trump.
This article was originally written in German.
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