Merz to Meet Trump Amid Mideast Crisis
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is in Washington D.C. this week for talks with U.S. President Trump, making him the first European leader to visit since the U.S. and Israel launched recent operations in the Middle East. The discussions are expected to focus on the ongoing war and its global implications.
Friedrich Merz, who became German Chancellor in May 2025, leads the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU). His political ascent marks a shift from the centrism of his long-time rival, Angela Merkel, towards a more conservative, transatlanticist foreign policy. While Germany has not joined the U.S. and Israeli military strikes, Merz has affirmed his political support for the action. The Chancellor stated this is "not the moment to lecture our allies, but to stand together in unity," signaling a clear alignment with Washington on this issue. Ahead of his visit, Merz convened Germany's National Security Council to discuss the Middle East. He has publicly labeled the Iranian government a "regime of terror," citing its oppression of the Iranian people, its nuclear program, and its support for groups like Hamas and Hezbollah as threats to global security. Germany's position reflects a degree of consensus among major European powers. Both the United Kingdom and France have similarly offered defensive support in the region while clarifying they will not take part in offensive military operations. The Chancellor has also explicitly linked the Mideast crisis to the war in Ukraine, where he has positioned Germany as Kyiv's strongest supporter. Merz advocates for closer transatlantic cooperation to manage both the conflict with Russia and the situation in the Middle East. Merz is a long-standing proponent of strong U.S.-European ties, having previously chaired the Atlantic Bridge, a group dedicated to fostering that relationship. His more assertive foreign policy stance and pro-business outlook represent a distinct change in leadership for Europe's largest economy.
