Germany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz says Trump is open to discussion, committed to NATO
Share this @internewscast.com

BERLIN (AP) — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated on Friday, following his meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House, that he found the U.S. administration open to dialogue and came back assured that Washington is still dedicated to NATO.

Merz characterized his meeting in the Oval Office and an extended lunch with Trump as both constructive and forthright, mentioning that the leaders shared different perspectives regarding Ukraine.

“Yesterday, during our meeting at the Oval Office, I expressed a significantly different stance on the Ukraine issue compared to Trump’s, and rather than facing any opposition, we revisited the topic in detail over lunch,” Merz remarked in Berlin upon his return.

Thursday’s White House meeting marked the first time the two sat down in person. Merz, who became chancellor in May, avoided the kind of confrontations in the Oval Office that have tripped up other world leaders, including Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy and South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa.

The two leaders opened with pleasantries. Merz presented Trump with a gold-framed birth certificate of the president’s grandfather, Friedrich Trump, who emigrated from Kallstadt, Germany.

Trump called Merz a “very good man to deal with.”

The American administration, he said, is open to discussion, listens, and is willing to accept differing opinions.

Add he added that dialogue should go both ways: “Let’s stop talking about Donald Trump with a raised finger and wrinkled nose. You have to talk with him, not about him.”

He said he also met with senators on Capitol Hill, urging them to recognize the scale of Russian rearmament.

“Please take a look at how far Russia’s armament is going, what they are currently doing there; you obviously have no idea what’s happening,” he said he told them. “In short, you can talk to them, but you must not let yourself be intimidated. I don’t have that inclination anyway.”

Merz, who speaks English fluently, stressed the need for transatlantic trust and said he reminded Trump that allies matter.

“Whether we like it or not, we will remain dependent on the United States of America for a long time,” he said. “But you also need partners in the world, and the Europeans, especially the Germans, are the best-suited partners.

“This is the difference between authoritarian systems and democracies: authoritarian systems have subordinates. Democracies have partners — and we want to be those partners in Europe and with America.”

He reiterated that the U.S. remains committed to NATO, particularly as Germany and others boost their defense spending. Trump has in the past suggested that the U.S. might abandon its commitments to the alliance if member countries don’t meet defense spending targets.

“I have absolutely no doubt that the American government is committed to NATO, especially now that we’ve all said we’re doing more. We’re ensuring that we can also defend ourselves in Europe, and I believe this expectation was not unjustified,” Merz said.

“We’ve been the free riders of American security guarantees for years, and we’re changing that now.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Immigration judge denies Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s bid for asylum, but he has 30 days to appeal

Judge Rejects Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s Asylum Request, He Has 30 Days to File an Appeal

A U.S. immigration judge on Wednesday denied a bid for asylum from…
Church of England names Sarah Mullally first woman Archbishop of Canterbury after Welby exit

Sarah Mullally Becomes First Female Archbishop of Canterbury Following Welby’s Departure

The Church of England announced Friday that Sarah Mullally will become the…
DOE Takes a Scalpel to 'Nearly $8B' in Blue States' Green Energy Waste During Schumer Shutdown

DOE Targets Nearly $8 Billion in Green Energy Mismanagement in Blue States Amid Schumer Shutdown

The Democrats seem to have significantly misjudged their strategy in causing a…
Prince William gives rare Kate Middleton cancer update in vulnerable talk with Eugene Levy

Prince William Shares Heartfelt Update on Kate Middleton’s Cancer Journey in Candid Conversation with Eugene Levy

Prince William provides a rare update on his wife, Kate Middleton, after…
courtroom drawing of Sean "Diddy" Combs blowing kisses to people in the audience

Diddy Scheduled for Sentencing on Friday for Charges Linked to Prostitution

(NewsNation) — Sean “Diddy” Combs is scheduled to receive his sentence from…
Massive fire erupts at Chevron refinery near Los Angeles

Huge blaze breaks out at Chevron refinery near Los Angeles

A fire erupted at the Chevron oil refinery near Los Angeles on…
OpenAI now worth $500 billion, possibly making it the world's most valuable startup

OpenAI Valued at $500 Billion, Potentially the World’s Most Valuable Startup

OpenAI may now hold the title of the world’s most valuable startup,…
Friday Flyover: Lindblom High School

Friday Aerial View: Lindblom High School Learns to Soar

VILLA PARK, Ill. (WLS) — This week, we feature Lindblom High School…
State-of-the-art technology restores classic film 'The Sound of Music' to its clear, bright, colorful glory 60 years after release

Cutting-edge technology revives ‘The Sound of Music,’ enhancing its clarity, brightness, and color 60 years post-release

BURBANK, Calif — To celebrate “The Sound of Music” on its 60th…
New Mexico Legislature approves bills to prop up rural health care, underwrite food assistance

New Mexico Lawmakers Pass Bills to Support Rural Healthcare and Fund Food Aid

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — In response to President Donald Trump’s reductions…
ICE in Chicago: Barricades set up for designated protest zones near Broadview ICE facility; Air Force veteran Dana Briggs arrested

Barricades Established for Protest Zones Near Chicago’s Broadview ICE Facility; Air Force Veteran Dana Briggs Among Those Arrested

BROADVIEW, Ill. (WLS) — Protesters rallied outside the Broadview U.S. Immigration and…
Woman caught on camera allegedly lunging at MAGA activist in viral confrontation

Video Allegedly Shows Woman Confronting MAGA Supporter in Viral Altercation

A physical confrontation at Washington, D.C.’s Union Station went viral after conservative…