German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will present a coordinated European response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s evolving tariff policies during a visit to Washington D.C. In approximately one week, according to statements made Saturday at a Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party meeting in Stuttgart.
Merz emphasized the necessity of a unified European front, stating, “I will go to Washington with a coordinated European position,” as reported by ARD public broadcaster. This commitment follows a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that limited the scope of Trump’s authority to impose broad tariffs, and Trump’s subsequent announcement of a 15% tariff on all goods entering the United States.
The German Chancellor’s trip, previously planned but only recently confirmed through media reports, comes as European capitals assess the implications of the Supreme Court’s decision and Trump’s reaction. Merz met with Trump once previously, in June 2025.
Merz argued that tariffs ultimately harm the economies that impose them, noting that while Germany bears a portion of the burden through reduced exports, American consumers ultimately pay higher prices. “I will try to produce it clear to the American government that tariffs harm everyone,” he said.
The timing of Merz’s visit coincides with growing concerns about a “deep rift” between Europe and the United States, as highlighted during the Munich Security Conference earlier this month. Merz, addressing the conference, urged a “repair and revival” of transatlantic trust, arguing that the U.S. And Europe require each other in an “era of great power rivalry.” He specifically defended the importance of the NATO alliance, stating it benefits both continents.
While acknowledging flaws in the existing global order, Merz distinguished European values from what he characterized as the “culture war” of the “MAGA movement,” emphasizing Europe’s commitment to human dignity, constitutional principles, free trade, climate agreements, and the World Health Organization – from which the U.S. Officially withdrew in January.
The Supreme Court’s ruling, described by Merz as “fascinating,” placed limits on the Trump administration’s tariff policy, though it did not affect existing sectoral tariffs. Despite this, Trump swiftly responded to the ruling by announcing the recent tariffs, escalating trade tensions.
Merz’s commitment to a coordinated European position underscores the EU’s view that customs policy is a matter for the bloc as a whole, not individual member states. This stance is particularly relevant given the EU’s implementation of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on January 1, which places a price on carbon emissions embedded in imported goods.