German Chancellor Merz arrives in Washington for meeting with Trump

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Washington overnight on June 5 for his first official visit, Deutsche Welle reported.

Later in the day, Merz will meet U.S. President Donald Trump for the first time since taking office. A joint lunch and press availability in the Oval Office are scheduled.

Talks are expected to focus on efforts to end the war in Ukraine, NATO’s response to external threats, and trade disputes between the United States and the European Union. Merz stressed he was not coming to Washington “as a petitioner” and would firmly defend European positions.

Merz had previously met Trump only briefly years ago in New York. Since taking office four weeks ago, he has spoken with Trump several times by phone, both one-on-one and in broader discussions with European leaders about the Ukraine war.

The chancellor will spend about 17 hours in the U.S. capital. In June, Merz and Trump are scheduled to meet twice more — at the G7 summit in Canada and the NATO summit in the Netherlands.

According to Bild, the talks could take an unpredictable turn if Trump or Vice President J.D. Vance raise questions about the German government’s stance on the far-right Alternative for Germany party.

Merz is staying at Blair House, the official residence for guests of the U.S. president, known as “the world’s most luxurious hotel.” Previous guests include Princess Diana, Jacqueline Kennedy, Queen Elizabeth II, Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Charles de Gaulle, and Angela Merkel.