German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron met in Berlin to address growing divisions between their countries on key issues such as defense cooperation, particularly the joint fighter jet project, and escalating trade tensions with the United States.
Despite warmer personal relations, the leaders struggled to overcome disagreements on how to respond to potential US tariffs and the future of European defense strategy. Both sides emphasized the need for a united European front, especially as the EU considers a $100 billion tariff retaliation against the US. They set an August deadline to resolve their fighter jet dispute, signaling urgency but also ongoing friction.
The meeting highlights the challenges facing the Franco-German partnership, often seen as the engine of the EU, as Europe navigates complex geopolitical and economic pressures.
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