Germany’s new chancellor to meet Trump in Washington on Thursday

German conservative candidate for chancellor and Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party leader Friedrich Merz attends a press conference following the general election in Berlin, Germany, February 24, 2025.

Fabrizio Bensch | Reuters

Germany’s new Chancellor Friedrich Merz will travel to Washington to meet on Thursday with U.S. President Donald Trump, a German government spokesman said on Saturday.

This will be Merz’s first visit to the United States since taking office on May 6, and comes amid high tensions between the trans-Atlantic partners over trade and the Ukraine war.

This story is developing. Please check back for updates.

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