German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrives at the White House on Tuesday for what is Donald Trump's first meeting with a foreign leader since the United States joined Israel in strikes on Iran, a military action that has dragged the Middle East into war. The visit, long scheduled, was originally intended to focus on Ukraine and EU-US trade tensions, but the escalating conflict with Iran has fundamentally reshaped the entire agenda.
The long-scheduled meeting was intended to address the strained transatlantic relationship and the ongoing war in Ukraine. But Trump's indication that airstrikes against Iran could continue for weeks has pushed everything else aside. Iran has already struck back against US bases and allies across the region, raising the stakes for every conversation on the agenda.
Merz, a vocal critic of Iran's leadership, said Germany shared the Iranian people's relief that what he called the "mullah regime is coming to an end." However, he stopped short of commenting on the legality of the strikes carried out by the United States and Israel, declining to "lecture" the two allies.
Germany, France, and Britain have stated they will only support their Gulf allies with defensive measures against Iran, a position that has drawn sharp criticism from US officials, who have described the European response to Operation Epic Fury as "soft." The stance puts Merz in a delicate position as he heads into talks with Trump.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that eight European countries, with Germany as a key partner, had agreed to join a plan to use France's nuclear arsenal to strengthen continental security.
Despite their differences, Merz has maintained a working relationship with Trump that most European leaders have struggled to achieve. He has largely avoided Trump's public criticism by committing to significantly increased German defence spending, a core Trump demand for NATO members. At the same time, Merz has not shied away from challenging Trump directly. At the Munich Security Conference in February, he acknowledged a "deep rift" between traditional allies and called on America to repair and rebuild transatlantic trust.
During their first White House meeting last June, Merz pushed Trump to increase pressure on Moscow to end the war in Ukraine. Trump, in turn, described Merz as "a very good man to deal with", and added that he could be "difficult," a remark widely interpreted as a compliment. Merz has also cultivated personal goodwill, presenting Trump with his grandfather's German birth certificate and extending an invitation to visit his ancestral homeland.
Beyond Iran and Ukraine, EU-US trade relations remain a significant point of friction. A spokesman for Merz confirmed he would present the EU's coordinated position on Trump's tariff measures, stressing that businesses on both sides of the Atlantic need planning certainty.
Germany's mechanical engineering industry has urged Merz to use his strong rapport with Trump to push for a comprehensive and reliable tariff agreement between the EU and the United States, even as the Iran war dominates the headlines.
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