A trip planned months ago is unfolding amid a very different global landscape: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz flew to Washington on Monday and will meet US President Donald Trump on Tuesday as conflict in Iran and the wider Middle East escalates. What began as a broad agenda has been overtaken by security and diplomatic emergencies.
Merz described Germany as facing a “dilemma” over the war in the Middle East. He affirmed German support for the United States and Israel and condemned recent Iranian attacks on Gulf states, US bases and Israel. At the same time, he acknowledged legal and political complications: some of the initial strikes by Israel and the US are not clearly covered by international law. Merz also noted that many Iranians see the weakening of Iran’s clerical leadership as a possible outcome after decades of failed attempts to curb Tehran’s nuclear and missile programs. He warned, however, that US and Israeli military action carries significant risks.
Together with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Merz joined a statement saying the three countries were prepared to take “military defensive measures.” Germany’s foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, clarified that Berlin will not take part in further offensive operations: the Bundeswehr will defend itself if attacked, but Germany does not intend to join new strikes. German forces remain stationed at bases in Jordan and Iraq.
DW chief correspondent Michaela Küfner, traveling with Merz, argues that his refusal to “lecture the US and Israel” signals a shift away from using international law as the primary public yardstick, and that the visit will make clear what the US now expects from its European partners. Merz also needs to press another urgent point: ensuring Europe remains central to negotiations over Ukraine, rather than having the continent’s future decided without European input.
Trade and tariffs are expected to dominate much of the bilateral discussion. The US Supreme Court recently struck down key elements of Trump’s tariff policy that had affected Germany and the EU; Merz described the decision as an anticipated check on executive power. But many questions remain unresolved: the court limited a broad tariff authority but left room for sector-specific levies. Trump has signaled he will try alternative legal routes to impose new tariffs — proposing a 10% rate for most countries and threatening up to 15% in some cases.
German government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said the visit is an opportunity to coordinate an EU response. Since taking office, Merz has generally approached Trump cautiously and counted a prior, low-profile White House meeting as a success. He has also shown that a united European stance can be effective: when EU partners pushed back on Trump’s interest in Greenland, closer transatlantic coordination reassured Denmark and Greenlanders and the issue faded.
A darker shadow over Merz’s talks is the war in Ukraine. Four years after Russia’s invasion, a negotiated end to the fighting remains uncertain. Even Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has floated the uncomfortable possibility of temporarily ceding territory if hostilities cease, though Ukraine rejects surrendering areas not controlled by Moscow. Merz is expected to emphasize the importance of Ukraine to European security, but he may find limited appetite for additional commitments from the current US administration.
This report was originally written in German.
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