German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, and reportedly defended British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during the meeting, despite facing criticism for remaining silent as Trump publicly attacked the UK leader. The exchange highlights the delicate diplomatic balancing act European leaders face when engaging with the often-unpredictable former U.S. President.
According to Politico, Merz refrained from publicly contradicting Trump as the U.S. President threatened Spain with a “trade embargo” over insufficient defense spending and sharply criticized Starmer.
Merz’s silence was part of an obvious strategy: never contradict Trump in front of the cameras, and try to gain the German position accepted in private.
— reports Unian.
The meeting primarily focused on Ukraine and trade. The publication reports that both issues hinge on how skillfully Merz navigates a relationship with a “sensitive and unpredictable Trump, sometimes under humiliating circumstances.” This strategy appeared to yield results, as Trump referred to the German chancellor as a “friend,” praising his “truly excellent work” and thanking him for being “extremely accommodating” on the issue of Iran.
Following the meeting, Merz stated he had defended Starmer during the discussions, telling Trump that the British leader “is making a really very significant and very valuable contribution to promoting a peace settlement in Ukraine, and therefore the criticism of him is unjustified.” He added that the key was to correct Trump not in public.
I did this behind closed doors because I did not want to play out the conflict on the open stage there.
— he explained.
A primary goal of Merz’s visit was to persuade Trump to increase pressure on Vladimir Putin through stronger sanctions, thereby helping to end the war in Ukraine. “Russia is stalling for time, and is also defying the will of the American president. Today I called for an escalation of pressure on Moscow,” he said.
He also reported showing Trump a map of the front lines in Ukraine, stating he formed the impression that “the president now understands better what is at stake for the country.” The chancellor also discussed the need for Europe to become involved in peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, mediated by the United States.
Merz believes that “Trump knows that only an agreement accepted and recognized as legal by Europe can be lasting. He also knows that Europe’s contribution – in the areas of security in Ukraine, reconstruction and European integration – will be indispensable for this peace.”
According to Politico, Merz is avoiding open confrontation in order to preserve the possibility of influencing Donald Trump on the issue of Ukraine.
