New German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is visiting Washington DC to meet US President Donald Trump, focusing on tariffs, defense spending, and the war in Ukraine. Speculation surrounds the meeting due to past tense exchanges with other leaders. Merz is reportedly well-prepared and on friendly terms with Trump, but faces challenges in negotiations, especially regarding EU sanctions on Russia and NATO defense spending. The meeting could be complicated by Trump's cabinet's views on Germany's domestic politics and the rise of the AfD party. Teljes cikk (bbc.com europe)