The war that broke out over the weekend in the Middle East has prompted changes to the agenda for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s upcoming trip to the United States.
“Of course the conflict in the Middle East will take a central role” government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius told the dts news agency on Monday. He added that the German side will also want to address the situation in Ukraine and discuss economic and trade relations. “The economic and trade ties should not be ignored” Kornelius emphasized. “We still have unresolved issues stemming from the U.S. Supreme Court’s customs ruling”.
He further noted that the war in Ukraine, which has not ended, remains Germany’s greatest security challenge and threat in Europe. Germany has stepped in as a leading supporter of Ukraine, and the chancellor will exercise his role in urging and accompanying U.S. mediation efforts in that conflict.
Kornelius expressed strong confidence that the meeting scheduled for Tuesday between Chancellor Merz and President Donald Trump will certainly take place.
