New German leader Friedrich Merz will meet Trump at the White House next week

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: AP

Updated 11:37 AM EDT, May 31, 2025


BERLIN (AP) — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will travel to Washington next week to meet U.S. President Donald Trump, with the war in Ukraine and trade tensions among the items on the agenda, the German government said Saturday.

Merz’s office said the new German leader, who took the helm of Europe’s biggest economy on May 6, will meet Trump at the White House on Thursday — the first in-person meeting between the two.

It said that the meeting will address bilateral relations and international issues such as Russia’s war in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and trade policy.

Merz has plunged into diplomatic efforts to try to secure a ceasefire and keep Western support for Ukraine intact since becoming Germany’s leader. On Wednesday, he hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/germany-merz-trump-washington-visit-560029c16d859d6ff6c11146937ac35a

[Irish_Dem]

1. They willingly go to the Oval Office like sheep to the slaughter.

[Leghorn21]

3. I'm assuming President Zalenskyy has given him some good tips, Irish_Dem!

..and I’m just hoping he shows up in a plaid jumpsuit or something because WHY TF NOT?!??

[Irish_Dem]

5. Yes I hope he is prepared to defend himself from a brutal public Oval Office ambush.

[drray23]

6. I dont think the german chancellor will allow Trump to bully him.

He is very much against Trump and has criticized him many times.

I can see how a leader from a smaller country might feel that they have no choice but to take it. Germany, however along with France is the main power leading Europe.

He has the whole EU behind him and its economic power ( which is greater than that of the US).

[Irish_Dem]

7. I hope you are right, but there is no evidence any leader will stand up to Trump

in the Oval Office.

[C_U_L8R]

2. Taco Trump thinks he's seeing Ricky Ricardo's neighbor

[tavernier]

8. My precise thought.

Will probably ask him if he brought along Ethel.

[Ishoutandscream2]

12. My God, my first thought as well

Trump will be disappointed.

[hlthe2b]

4. Merz should bring TACOS

[Bayard]

9. trump will have to wear his triple elevator shoes,

And will still be looking up at 6'6" Merz's chin. I always thought that was the main reason he hated Comey.

trump has nothing to hold over him. I'm surprised he's even agreed to meet.

[Buddyzbuddy]

10. Wear a cup, he attacks like a coward. He needs a crowd/audience/fan boys like Vance.

[3Hotdogs]

11. I hope Mertz knows enough to bring cards.