On June 5, 2025, Friedrich Merz, then Chancellor of Germany, made news by convening a remarkable meeting. He is pictured with U.S. President Donald Trump during their meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C. Even without the looming specter of high-stakes diplomacy, the encounter was remarkable. It was hugely important, especially in the context of how recently Trump has shamed other foreign leaders in the Oval Office. Merz’s trip was meant to extend the hand of friendship and cooperation between Germany and the United States. Equally, he fixed on solving key challenges facing people in both countries.
A notable moment in last week’s meeting came when President Trump cheered on Merz. He praised Merz’s impressive fluency in English and termed him “a very good man to deal with. That enthusiastic welcome suggested an imminent end to the ice which had been between the two leaders. This follows a stretch of abrasive relations with her fellow diplomats. Merz’s deft political maneuvering through a tough political environment. His diplomatic talents quickly secured him as one of the important figures in transatlantic relations.
Merz is promising a financial surge to strengthen Germany’s military force, in keeping with a wider NATO defense spending objective. Germany’s foreign minister recently suggested support for Trump’s proposal that NATO members allocate 5% of their gross domestic product to defense. This proposal has been met with mixed reactions across Europe, but Merz’s endorsement highlights Germany’s commitment to strengthening its military.
Beyond limiting the military spending discussion almost entirely, Merz succeeded beyond all expectation on many agenda items on his first day with Trump. Other subjects ranged from fortifying U.S.-Germany relations to increasing tariffs, U.S. support for Ukraine, and why NATO nations should boost their defense budgets. These conversations revealed deep and abiding shared interests between the two countries. Beyond this, they laid a strong foundation for cooperative action on issues related to global security threats.
The most intimate moment of the meeting played out when Merz presented Trump with his written copy. He said that was Trump’s grandfather’s birth certificate, born in 1869. This welcoming gesture was meant to promote mutual goodwill and to emphasize the long-standing historical connections between their two families. These personal connections can go a long way in easing and influencing high-stakes diplomatic discussions.
The Chancellor’s diplomatic balancing act was little appreciated. German political strategist Julius van de Laar referred to the meeting as “a home run or a hole in one.” He reminded everyone of the serious stakes. Merz characterized the tone of the meeting as “very positive.” He highlighted all the overlaps between his and Trump’s agendas, which will bring opportunities to work together down the road.
Merz was also concerned with U.S. engagement in German domestic politics, particularly around the rise of the Alternative fuer Deutschland (AfD) party. German intelligence services have classified AfD as a “proven right-wing extremist organization,” yet officials within Trump’s administration have shown support for the party. Merz’s warning is an admission that he wants to keep sovereignty over what happens in German politics while managing new and intricate geopolitical strife.
As an effort in promoting these newly formed and blossoming friendships, Merz said arrangements for a Trump visit to Berlin are already in the works. This possible journey would serve to deepen the budding rapport between the two leaders and increase diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
Merz made his visit even more historic by timing it to coincide with the 75th anniversary of D-Day. This historic step occurred only a day after his extraordinary meeting with Trump. This joint declaration further underscored the robust partnership between the United States and Germany. It helps us understand their deep history rooted in overcoming adversity as one.