German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visits President Donald Trump at the White House in their first face-to-face meeting. With global tensions rising, this high-stakes talk could reshape the future of NATO, Europe’s defense, and US-EU ties. Can Merz balance diplomacy with directness?
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00:00German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump for the first
00:05time in Washington, a pivotal moment for transatlantic relations. The meeting comes
00:10amid global tensions, from rising pressure on Israel to ongoing conflict in Ukraine,
00:15and as Trump again raises tariff threats against the EU. Mertz, who has already visited key
00:21European leaders and shown strong support for Ukraine, now aims to strengthen ties with the
00:27U.S. While he has made past remarks about Europe reducing dependence on America,
00:32recent actions suggest a more cooperative approach. Mertz emphasized the U.S. remains a vital partner,
00:39and even invited Trump to visit his grandfather's hometown in Germany.
00:43Tensions still exist over Germany's stance on right-wing politics and increased surveillance
00:48of certain political parties, drawing criticism from top U.S. officials, but both sides appear
00:54keen to reset relations. Mertz's support for boosting NATO defense spending and his background
00:59in promoting U.S.-German ties could help ease concerns. Experts say Germany remains committed
01:05to working closely with the U.S.