Speaking on March 1, Mr. Merz affirmed that Germany is on the side of the US and Israel, and condemned Iran's attacks on Gulf countries, US and Israeli military bases. However, he also acknowledged that Berlin is in a difficult position in the face of initial attacks by the US and Israel.
According to the German Chancellor, the attack raises issues related to international law. After decades of diplomatic efforts that have not yielded clear results in persuading Iran to adjust its nuclear and missile programs, Mr. Merz said that this is the time to exchange cautiously with partners and allies, but at the same time noted that all military actions are potentially risky. Then, Mr. Merz, along with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, issued a joint statement, saying they are ready to take "military defense measures" if necessary.
Besides the Middle East dossier, the issue of tariffs will certainly be at the center of discussions in Washington. Recently, the US Supreme Court rejected key elements in Mr. Trump's tariff policy, including measures affecting Germany and the European Union.
Meanwhile, President Trump has used another legal mechanism to impose a new 10% tariff on most countries, while threatening to raise it to 15%. This puts transatlantic trade relations at risk of further tension.
German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius confirmed that trade policy is the focus of the trip. He believes that this time may be appropriate for Chancellor Merz to directly discuss with the US President about the next steps, based on the coordinated position of the European Union.
Since taking office in May last year, Mr. Merz's approach to Mr. Trump has been considered quite cautious. He once considered the smooth first visit to the White House as a positive result, especially in the context that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky received a less warm reception here at the same time.
In early 2026, European countries realized that expressing a tougher stance with Washington could be effective. When European powers simultaneously opposed Mr. Trump's plan to take over Greenland - a territory belonging to Denmark, Berlin and NATO partners expressed solidarity with Copenhagen and the people of Greenland. Since then, this issue has temporarily subsided.
However, the biggest shadow is still Ukraine. After 4 years of conflict, the prospect of peace is still fragile. Even President Zelensky admitted that Kiev may have to accept abandoning part of its territory, at least temporarily, if it wants to achieve a ceasefire. However, Ukraine continues to reject the idea of ceding territories that Russia has not yet controlled.
Observers believe that Mr. Merz will almost certainly mention the importance of Ukraine in meetings in Washington. But the question is whether he will find consensus from the White House, especially from President Trump, or not.
Amidst the Middle East cauldron, tariff pressure and unresolved Ukraine dossiers, the German Chancellor's trip is therefore not just a normal bilateral meeting. It is a test of Berlin's role in balancing relations and finding strategic consensus with Washington, while maintaining Europe's stance in a volatile world.
