Federal Chancellor’s inaugural visit to the USA
The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, NATO, economic and trade issues, as well as bilateral relations: Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz brought a wide range of topics to the table in his first meeting with US President Trump.
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Federal Chancellor Merz and President Trump met for talks in the Oval Office at the White House.
Photo: Federal Government/Steffen Kugler
“We agree on how terrible this war is, and we are looking for ways to end it.” These were the words of Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the press conference following his talks with US President Donald Trump, held in the Oval Office at the White House. With regard to the Russian war of aggression, the Federal Chancellor also emphasised that the President of the United States has the power to influence the Russian President, and to persuade him to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine. It was the first meeting in person between Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Trump. The US President had invited the Federal Chancellor to Washington and welcomed him to the White House.
The Federal Chancellor also said at the meeting that he wanted to intensify cooperation between the Federal Chancellery and the White House once again. With regard to the German origins of Trump’s family, the Federal Chancellor explained that this could be a “very good basis for close cooperation between America and Germany”. He also emphasised his deep gratitude to the United States for the liberation of Germany from Nazi rule 80 years ago: “We will never forget that.”
Federal Chancellor praises “good talks”
After the meeting with the US President in the Oval Office, Trump and Merz met for lunch. Afterwards, Federal Chancellor Merz emphasised that he was “extremely satisfied” with the visit. He praised the positive atmosphere in the talks, which he said would be built on in future meetings and used as the basis for intensifying bilateral cooperation. Before Merz travelled home to Germany, he met with several senators in the Capitol.
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.
Expectations ahead of talks with US President Trump
“I am looking forward to my visit with President Trump”, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasised in a statement ahead of his meeting with the US President. Nevertheless, he said he did not expect any major “breakthroughs” in the areas that the talks were to focus on. 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. Investments in defence were also set to be a focal area. To this end, the Federal Chancellor announced in his policy statement on 14 May 2025 that he intended to develop the Federal Armed Forces into the strongest conventional army in Europe.
Federal Chancellor Merz arrived in the USA on Thursday morning for his inaugural visit. During his visit to Washington D.C., the Federal Chancellor was accommodated in Blair House – the guest house of the US President.
As a gift, the Federal Chancellor presented the US President with a calligraphed and translated copy of the birth certificate of Trump’s grandfather Friedrich, who was from Kallstadt. The original is in the state archives in Speyer.
Photo: Federal Government/Steffen Kugler
Discussions before two major international meetings
With the NATO summit in The Hague and the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, two major international meetings are taking place in the coming weeks. It was therefore very important to Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz to have the opportunity to meet US President Trump in person beforehand, after they had spoken on the phone several times.