French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz are set to hold talks in Berlin to discuss key issues, including NATO security and the EU-US trade row. The talks come as US President Donald Trump has rocked transatlantic ties, threatening 30% tariffs against the EU if no deal is reached by August 1.
Merz has expressed support for a trans-Atlantic free trade zone without tariffs between Europe and the US, echoing sentiments similar to those of Elon Musk, a tech billionaire and adviser to Trump. Merz believes a solution can be found with Trump if it serves common interests, emphasizing the need for the EU to speak with one voice and demonstrate its ability to act.
Macron and Merz will discuss NATO security, with Merz previously questioning the current form of NATO and suggesting Europe may need to devise a replacement.
The two leaders will address the trade dispute with the US, with Merz urging a fair and reliable agreement with low tariff rates to strengthen the transatlantic market.
They will also discuss bilateral stumbling blocks, including a joint defense project, energy policy, and trade policy, such as the EU-Mercosur trade deal.
France and Germany have differing views on nuclear energy, with France relying heavily on nuclear power and Germany phasing it out. Merz’s centre-right CDU/CSU may be more open to classifying nuclear energy as climate-friendly.
The talks aim to boost the bilateral partnership at the heart of the European Union, with both leaders pledging a “restart in energy policy” and equal treatment at the EU level for all low-emission energies.
