German Chancellor Friedrich Merz meets Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Thursday ... good ties with the country he considers post-war Germany's "indispensable" ally.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany spoke rarely but reverently, and found a warm reception in the Oval Office. Now he hopes to turn rapport into policy wins. By Jim Tankersley Jim Tankersley ...

The United States is an indispensable friend and partner of Germany," Merz posted to X Wednesday. The topics of discussion are expected to range from tariffs and trade to Russia's war on Ukraine ...

But first Merz must brave the televised rite of passage of an Oval Office meeting with Trump -- whose administration has taken an aggressive stance towards Germany and even backed the far-right there.

(Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) / ALTERNATE CROP German Chancellor Friedrich Merz came through his Oval Office encounter ... who was born in Germany in 1869. Merz also hailed Trump as being the ...