Merz, Macron present united front amid EU-US trade row

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Berlin on Wednesday, as both sides sought to boost relations amid challenging global political times.

It was Macron's first visit to Germany since Merz's government took power in early May. Merz hosted the French president for a dinner at the lakeside Villa Borsig outside Berlin on Wednesday evening.


The leaders said they wanted to deepen Franco-German cooperation "at all levels."

"We stand on the foundation of a close Franco-German friendship that has developed over decades. And we both feel a great obligation to continue working on this in the coming years," Merz said at the start of Macron's working visit to Berlin.

Macron highlighted the personal friendship between him and Merz, as well as between their two countries.

The Franco-German relationship and the shared will to advance both bilateral and European agendas are essential, said the French president.

The meeting comes as the EU confronts a raft of geopolitical and economic challenges, including a trade conflict with the US and Russia's continuing war against Ukraine, among others.

Paris and Berlin have been increasing efforts to support Ukraine against Russia and build up the defense capabilities of NATO's European member states.

Merz signals 'decisions' on EU-US trade row

Both France and Germany are, meanwhile, facing threats of increased tariffs from Washington, with US President Donald Trump threatening to slap 30% tariffs against the EU if no trade deal is reached by August 1.

Speaking alongside Macron, Merz said there "may be decisions" on the ongoing trade row.

"We will discuss some very current issues together, including the current trade policy, about which we are hearing in these minutes that there could possibly be decisions," the German chancellor said.

Macron said he would coordinate with Merz and other European counterparts on how to respond to the incoming US tariffs.

"Today, we are responding to the tariff offensive that has been launched with a determination that we share: to provide stability and have the lowest possible tariffs," he said ahead of his meeting with Merz.

Row over a joint next-generation fighter project

The two leaders were also expected to discuss several thorny issues, ranging from joint defense projects to energy.

There has been disagreement over a combat aircraft to be made jointly by France, Germany and Spain.

The planned fifth-generation fighter jet is expected to start replacing French Rafale and German and Spanish Eurofighters from 2040.

But the project, worth more than €100 billion ($117.73 billion), has been dogged by delays and infighting over workshare and intellectual property rights.

The head of French defense company Dassault, Eric Trappier, on Tuesday suggested that the viability of the project was in doubt.

Merz and Macron agreed on Wednesday to try to resolve differences over the FCAS fighter jet project by the end of August, a German government spokesperson said.

What are the other major disagreements?

There are also other disagreements between the neighboring countries.

Paris, for instance, is pushing for joint European debt to boost the bloc's defense industry — a proposal Berlin rejects.

France also relies heavily on nuclear energy, while Germany has phased it out entirely.

Paris wants Berlin to commit to "technology neutrality" and effectively classify nuclear energy as climate-friendly. While the previous German government rejected this push, Merz's administration may be more open to the idea.

France and Germany also disagree on the trade agreement between the EU and the Latin American Mercosur countries.