Three -day countdown runs today for the meeting between US President, Donald Trump and the German Chancellor, Friedrich Mertz (that is, the leader of the EU leading economy) in Washington.
Trump will allow the Minister of Finance to stay overnight at the president’s hostel, Blair House, next to the White House, which is a special honor, according to the German press. Since taking over his duties in January 2025, many heads of state and governments have visited him, including French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Kir Starmer and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Melon. Ukraine.
In more detail:
1. Ukraine: pending a new meeting in Istanbul
The first priority is likely, according to Handelsblatt, will be efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
Mertz has taken on a leading role among Europeans in this effort (although communicating with the Russians, at least publicly, the Americans have alone, having eliminated Europeans from each meeting), but recently expressed his disappointment on the lack of progress.
In Washington, the German Chancellor is expected to put pressure on Trump to increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin in order to agree on a ceasefire.
Europeans are preparing another sanctions package (18th in a row!), But knowing that they can really impress Putin only in collaboration with Americans.
Trump said last Wednesday (May 28, 2025) that in the next two weeks it would be clear whether Putin “leads us” or not.
“And if he does, we will react a little differently,” he added, without giving further information.
The only thing that prevents him from imposing new sanctions on Russia is the fact that “if I think I’m close to an agreement, I don’t want to spoil it,” Trump noted.
Whether there will be new talks between Russia and Ukraine in Constantinople before the Merz and Trump meeting (ie before June 5, 2025) is currently open.
2. NATO: In favor of Mertz, but he is… alone in the EU
At the end of June (shortly before the EU Summit), the heads of state and governments of the defense alliance will meet in Brussels and, among other things, discuss their defense spending.
Trump has demanded 5% of the gross domestic product by alliance partners.
NATO Secretary -General Mark Rutte responded with a compromise formula: 3.5% for the Army and 1.5% for infrastructure such as roads or ports that may be related to defense.
Mertz has publicly supported this proposal, describing it as “logic”. In addition, Mertz himself, along with the Social Democrats and the Greens, passed a package of constitutionally unlimited costs for the defense and investment fund 500 billion in late March. euro. However, the other leaders of major European countries have not shown the same “excitement” as they are loaded with large government debts. It is noted that the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has stated that this goal is “very difficult”.
3. Duties: In a month the suspension of US duties 50% is exhaled
The meeting of the two leaders (Trump, Solds) takes place a few days after the Threat of Trump for 50% against the EU from June 1, 2025 and their subsequent postponement by July 9, 2025.
Meanwhile, from April 9, 2025, US duties are valid at the expense of all EU imports, with the exception of carbon and steel, which are 25%.
The EU has not responded so far, although it has announced that it has a list of US products that could impose duties, while measures such as digital transactions taxes are on the table.
Concerning negotiations between the US and EU and specifically between the US Ministry of Education. Trade and the EU Community Committee, no progress seems to have made any progress.