Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz has met with US President Donald Trump for the first time. At the White House, they spoke about the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and customs and trade policy, among other things. See pictures of the inaugural visit here.
Washington, DC, 5 June 2025: Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz travelled to the US President for his inaugural visit. He arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport well after midnight.
“I am looking forward to the visit with President Trump,” the Chancellor announced before his departure. He and his delegation were well prepared.
Federal Chancellor Merz was received by US President Donald Trump at the White House at midday.
Federal Chancellor Merz brought a wide range of topics with him to his first meeting with President Trump in the Oval Office.
In addition to bilateral relations between Germany and the United States, the meeting was also intended to discuss the war in Ukraine, as well as economic and trade issues.
In addition to a calligraphed and translated copy of President Trump’s grandfather Friedrich’s birth certificate from Kallstadt, the Chancellor presented the President with another gift.
It was a golf club engraved with the flags of Germany and the United States. As a passionate golfer, Trump tries out the putter straight away.
Chancellor Merz praised the good atmosphere in the talks, which he hoped to build on in future meetings in order to intensify cooperation. President Trump accepted the invitation to make a return visit to Germany.
“We both agree on how terrible this war is, we are both looking for ways to stop it very soon.” This was the view expressed by Federal Chancellor Merz after the talks with US President Trump. Regarding the Russian war of aggression, the Chancellor also emphasised that the US President has the power to influence the Russian President and to persuade him to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine.
The day in Washington concluded with a variety of appearances on German and American television channels. Before travelling home to Germany, the Federal Chancellor met with several senators at the Capitol.
After a few hours in America, the Federal Chancellor returned to Berlin. The next opportunity for talks with the US President will be at the NATO summit in The Hague and the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, in the coming weeks.