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.

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.

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.