During a visit to Berlin, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz underscored the significance of the Franco-German relationship, describing it as a “major commitment”. The remarks were made Wednesday evening following French President Emmanuel Macron’s arrival in the German capital.
Chancellor Merz noted the considerable effort already invested in strengthening ties, pointing out that more than half of his cabinet has already undertaken introductory visits to France. He highlighted his own swift trip to Paris following his election as a demonstration of this priority.
The forthcoming discussions, scheduled for Wednesday and further reinforced by a Franco-German cabinet meeting at the end of August, will focus on trade policy and military procurement. Chancellor Merz expressed cautious optimism regarding the ongoing trade dispute between the EU and the United States, suggesting a potential resolution may be on the horizon, with speculation currently centered on a potential 15% tariff on EU imports.
Both leaders, however, largely avoided dwelling on areas of disagreement during their public statements. A notable point of contention remains the proposed joint combat aircraft project. Disagreement revolves around the distribution of responsibilities, with French manufacturer Dassault reportedly aiming to retain approximately 80% of the project and the majority of aircraft development, leaving a significantly reduced role for Airbus. This proposal has reportedly caused some consternation within German circles.
