A Visit Overshadowed, but Far From Wasted

While the headlines were dominated by the public fallout between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, another major political event quietly unfolded behind closed doors. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, just weeks into his leadership, made a calculated diplomatic visit to Washington, D.C. The visit didn’t dominate the news cycle—but according to several insiders, it achieved substantial behind-the-scenes progress.

Despite being sidelined in the media narrative, Merz walked away with wins in nearly every area he set out to address: trade policy, NATO defense commitments, U.S.-EU relations, and continued U.S. support for Ukraine. “Being overshadowed may have worked in Merz’s favor,” said Carsten Brzeski, ING’s Global Head of Macro. “It allowed him to engage in sensitive discussions away from the media spotlight.”

Key Meeting Goals and Diplomatic Agenda

Friedrich Merz arrived in Washington with a packed and strategic agenda, one designed to reinforce Germany’s role as a central partner in the West. His core goals included:

• Reinforcing Transatlantic Ties: Merz’s top priority was to ensure Germany remains a key ally for any future U.S. administration, regardless of the political landscape.
• Addressing Trade Concerns: Germany, home to over 700,000 auto industry jobs, is particularly vulnerable to tariff changes. Discussions reportedly included reducing the threat of new U.S. tariffs on German cars and machinery—an area worth over $70 billion in exports annually.
• Securing U.S. Commitment to Ukraine: With escalating conflict and renewed Russian offensives, Merz emphasized the importance of U.S. financial and military aid to Ukraine—now totaling over $175 billion since 2022.
• Boosting NATO Defense Spending: Germany’s new military investment plan involves over €100 billion ($108 billion) in defense funding through 2027, aimed at meeting and potentially exceeding NATO’s 2% GDP target—something Trump has previously demanded from member nations.

Strategic Symbolism and Political Nuance

Even symbolic gestures played a strategic role. In a private meeting, Merz reportedly gifted Trump a copy of his grandfather Friedrich Trump’s birth certificate—an intentional nod to Trump’s German ancestry, designed to reinforce the nations' shared history.

“Small gestures like these have outsized significance,” said Jackson Janes, Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund. “It creates a sense of legacy and commonality, even with unpredictable figures like Trump.”

More notably, Merz managed to avoid topics that could have derailed the meeting, such as the growing U.S. right-wing support for Germany's AfD (Alternative für Deutschland), recently classified as a far-right extremist group by German intelligence services. Though Trump allies have praised the AfD, Merz held the line, previously warning the U.S. against interfering in German domestic politics. The issue remains under legal scrutiny in Germany.

Handling Ukraine and NATO Commitments

On the topic of Ukraine, Merz drew strong historical parallels. Speaking just a day after the D-Day anniversary, he invoked America’s role in liberating Europe from fascism during WWII. “He effectively reminded Trump of America’s leadership in preserving democracy—not just in the past, but in the current crisis too,” said political strategist Julius van de Laar.

Germany, which is now the second-largest donor to Ukraine after the U.S., has committed over €32 billion in military and humanitarian aid since 2022. Merz sought reassurance that future American administrations would maintain this support.

He also emphasized Germany’s fiscal reforms—specifically the suspension of its “debt brake” rule to finance defense modernization. Merz expressed openness to Trump's controversial proposal of NATO members contributing 5% of their GDP to defense, positioning Germany as a rising leader in European military readiness.

Trump’s Response and the Road Ahead

Though the meeting didn’t grab headlines, Trump appeared to express a rare degree of personal respect for Merz. He praised the Chancellor’s fluent English and diplomatic approach, calling him a “very good man to deal with.” According to sources close to both sides, their discussion avoided major clashes and built a personal rapport.

Merz himself later described the atmosphere as “very constructive” in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “We can speak on the phone at any time.” He added that a follow-up visit from Trump to Berlin is already being discussed—potentially solidifying long-term ties.

A Diplomatic Win in the Shadows

While pundits debated Elon Musk’s latest jabs and Trump’s retaliatory statements, Friedrich Merz quietly pulled off what many European leaders have failed to do in recent years: a calm, strategic, and effective diplomatic mission in Trump’s Washington. He left without controversy, secured crucial policy discussions, and signaled Germany’s readiness to take on a greater leadership role in Europe.

“This trip was a home run,” said van de Laar. “Merz didn’t just survive—he strengthened Germany’s hand on the global stage.”