
Merz walks a fine line with Trump to soothe tensions
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pivoted back to a conciliatory approach toward Donald Trump, praising the U.S. president on key issues like tariffs and Iran policy while urging swift talks to de‑escalate tensions and salvage transatlantic ties, even as European ministers push for Europe to assume more NATO responsibilities and some SPD lawmakers advocate countermeasures against Trump’s threats.









