German Chancellor Friedrich Merts has urged US President Donald Trump to eliminate tariffs on European Union goods, while opening discussions for the potential signing of a new trade agreement. Speaking at a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on May 9, 2025, Merts emphasized that any deal with the US regarding tariffs must involve the EU as a whole rather than individual member states, due to the common trade rules governing EU countries.
In a separate statement during a visit to Brussels, Merts congratulated Trump on his recent trade agreement with the UK, calling it a positive step forward. Following phone conversations with Trump and meetings in Brussels with EU leaders, Merts reiterated that the US should end its trade war and abolish tariffs. He advised Trump against escalating tariff disputes, suggesting instead a ‘zero-tariff’ policy for all parties involved. In the long term, he proposed moving toward a comprehensive trade agreement between the EU and the US.
Merts also highlighted the importance of mutual recognition of technical standards to open markets further, citing automobile regulations as an example. Clarifying the EU’s stance to Trump, Merts stated that the closest trading partner for the US is not individual nations like Germany or France but the European Union itself.