Echoes of new political changes in Europe and the USA: Merz to meet with Trump at the White House
In the first week of his government leadership, Germany’s new Chancellor Friedrich Merz is preparing to take an important step on the international stage by scheduling his first official meeting with former US President Donald Trump. According to sources, the meeting will take place on Thursday, June 5, in a key location of American politics — the Oval Office of the White House. Based on information from Reuters, which refers to "European Truth," Merz has already received recommendations and advice from experienced diplomatic colleagues on how to engage with Trump to avoid potential conflicts or misunderstandings. This will be the first such meeting for the newly appointed Chancellor and is significant given the current complex international situation and Germany’s desire to establish constructive dialogue with the USA. It should be noted that Friedrich Merz has already taken some bold foreign policy steps to demonstrate his position and build trust, including increasing cooperation with the US in the areas of security and defense. Notably, he openly supported Trump's statement on the need for NATO member countries to increase military spending to 5% of their gross domestic product, a relevant issue for discussion within the alliance. According to diplomatic sources contacted by Reuters, Merz also coordinated the organization of European leaders’ visits to Kyiv — which happened just a few days after his official assumption of the chancellor position, indicating his intention to activate diplomatic efforts and strengthen support for Ukraine amid current challenges. The meeting with Trump in the Oval Office will be a decisive stage in shaping future relations between the countries, with its outcome affecting the alignment of positions on global security, energy, and geopolitics. At the same time, it opens new opportunities for Germany-U.S. cooperation and summarizes the new German government’s ambitions to take a more active role on the world stage. It is expected that this meeting will serve as a signal of how well the new chancellor can establish constructive dialogue with key international players and what strategic approach will be chosen for interactions with the former American president, considering his unpredictability and distinctive political style.