German Unions’ Fractious Vice Leader Sees Opportunity in Upcoming US Visit
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s upcoming meeting with US President Donald Trump has been described as a significant chance by Norbert Röttgen, the vice leader of Germany’s Unions. Röttgen believes that the early encounter between Trump and Merz marks a crucial step in the new German government’s American policy.
According to Röttgen, Trump’s understanding of foreign policy is largely centered on his personal relationships with other heads of state. He sees an opportunity for Merz to capitalize on this aspect, emphasizing that the German leader’s decisive actions in Washington have been well-received. Röttgen added that the real challenge lies in balancing the high expectations of the US government regarding German foreign and defense policies with Germany’s own interests, while also aligning with the reliable role the US plays in Europe.
In contrast, the leader of the German Left, Ines Schwerdtner, is skeptical of Merz’s understanding of the shift in the US under Trump. She believes that Trump views Europe, including Germany, as a competitor rather than a partner. Schwerdtner urged that under these conditions, Merz should not approach the meeting as a supplicant, but rather as a representative of a strong and independent Europe, capable of setting its own economic course and not being dictated to by the US in the end.