Europe Needs a Voice in Washington

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s third visit to Washington was overtaken by the unfolding war in the Middle East, but Merz emerged unscathed. In fact, the chancellor can claim a central role in managing Europe’s precarious relations with the US administration. 

The press conference turned out not to be an opportunity for Merz to speak up for his European counterparts, whom President Trump criticized. But during the visit, Merz reinforced Europe’s critical agenda topics: the war in Ukraine and transatlantic trade. A practical European way might find its best voice in Friedrich Merz. 

The Merz Way 

It seems clear that US President Donald Trump defines foreign and security policy through personal relationships. In such a hyper-personalized world, a range of methods are available, from the Canadian “elbows up” to NATO General Secretary Mark Rutte’s “daddy” approach. Merz has found secure footing in the middle, steering clear of direct rebuttals, reframing issues such as the war in Ukraine and trade in a transatlantic way, and making sure that disagreements are worked out behind closed doors. At the same time, he ties Germany’s interests to a successful European project—a project he continues to defend.  

This approach was apparent when Merz told reporters in the Oval Office that the three items he wanted to discuss with his US counterpart were: working with the United States on Iran to find solutions for “what will come the day after”; the need to put the US–EU trade deal in place as soon as possible; and the necessity of ending Russia’s war against Ukraine soon and in a way that preserves Ukraine’s territory and interests.  

The meeting at the White House underscored Merz’s aim to reaffirm Germany’s position as a key European actor in global affairs—a leading middle power. It also confirmed that Germany’s international approach under Merz is one guided by principled realism, and that its message is always European, even if the voice is German. 

A Full Transatlantic Inbox 

Trump and Merz’s public bilateral was dominated by questions about the military campaign against the Iranian regime, with only brief transatlantic interjections.  

Merz did not take the bait to publicly counter the president’s comments on his European counterparts. The list of pressing issues is extensive, and a heated back-and-forth in the Oval Office is not in Merz’s interest or Europe’s. Solutions must be found, and a capable Europe represented, away from the shuttering cameras and shouted questions. 

There are countless topics to be discussed, including the threat of additional tariffs, a trade deal that never received widespread European support and now continues to be stalled, the still-ringing “Greenland moment”, Russia’s war against Ukraine, disputes over digital regulations, and Europe’s ever-increasing efforts to build out its own defense capabilities, to name a few.  

Balancing Interconnected Priorities 

The EU Commissioner would be the natural partner for the United States on trade issues, and the NATO Secretary General would be the equivalent on all defense topics. In the interwoven politics of today’s transatlantic relationship, leaders of key countries in both institutions, with good personal connections with Trump, may be the most effective catalysts. 

What Merz continues to show is that disagreeing with the US president and keeping a healthy working relationship with him is possible. This is a tough balancing act, but one that the chancellor and other European leaders must attempt. It is the only way to enable Europe to act confidently on its own and preserve its most important security and trade relationship, even as it pursues greater European capacity to act.