German Opposition Leader Friedrich Merz on U.S.-Europe Relations

BERLIN (Reuters) – German opposition leader Friedrich Merz, seen as a potential chancellor in next month’s election, stated that U.S. President Donald Trump could be a valuable partner for Europe if the region maintains a strong, unified negotiating stance.

> “He is a dealmaker, so let’s think about what we can offer,” Merz remarked during a discussion at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting the day after Trump’s inauguration.

Merz suggested that Europe could streamline its military equipment purchases from the U.S.:

> “For example, if we have to take military equipment from the U.S., why don’t we combine our purchases on the European level?”

However, Merz may face pushback from France, a significant European power with a robust defense industry that has expressed dissatisfaction when EU members opt for U.S. military contracts instead of French or other European options.

> “(Trump) will be an interesting partner for us, provided we are on the European side knowing what we want in common,” said Merz, highlighting his extensive experience in the private sector alongside his political background.

When discussing his proposals for resolving the war in Ukraine, Merz expressed a belief that it might have concluded sooner if the West had stronger support for Kyiv amid Russia’s invasion.

Later, in a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Merz assured him of Germany’s support, despite uncertainties regarding the new U.S. administration’s actions in this pivotal moment.