German government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius batted off suggestions that Merz might have to jet off to Washington to cool the latest tensions with Trump, saying that the two were next scheduled to meet at a summit of the G7 leading economies in France, which won’t take place until June 15-17.
Until then, Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil offered reassurances that Merz was in “constant communication” with Trump to avoid a further escalation. Kornelius, however, could not offer specific information on any planned telephone calls.
Even though politicians from Merz’s coalition partner, the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), are now frustratedly arguing the time has come to unleash the full might of the EU’s trade arsenal against the U.S. over Trump’s threats, Merz is seeking to salvage the relationship with a softly-softly approach.
For the chancellor, the tactical logic is inescapable: direct confrontation risks backfiring, as recent days have shown. So, he’s performing a screeching U-turn and dialing up the placatory diplomacy to be in a position to cajole the president, as far as he possibly can.
‘Not giving up’
After the U.S. president vowed to raise levies on European cars and trucks to 25 percent this week in response to what he said is Europe’s foot-dragging on implementation of the Turnberry trade agreement struck between the EU and U.S. last summer, Merz seemed to have a great deal of understanding for Trump’s position.
In fact, he flipped the blame onto the EU.