German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced Saturday that he will coordinate with European allies to establish a consolidated position on U.S. tariff policies before his upcoming diplomatic visit to Washington. The chancellor’s statement comes in direct response to President Donald Trump’s escalating trade measures, including Friday’s imposition of additional 10% tariffs on imports following a Supreme Court decision that invalidated many of his previous duties.
Speaking to ARD broadcaster, Merz emphasized that customs policy falls under European Union jurisdiction rather than individual member states, necessitating a unified continental approach. ‘We will have a very clear European position on this,’ Merz stated, confirming his Washington visit scheduled for the following week. ‘I will go to Washington with a common European position.’
The trade landscape shifted dramatically when Trump not only implemented the 10% tariff but announced a further increase to 15% on Saturday. Despite these protectionist measures, the German leader identified a positive element in the Supreme Court’s recent ruling. Merz noted that the judicial check on presidential authority demonstrated the continued functionality of America’s separation of powers, describing this constitutional balance as ‘good news’ and expressing optimism that German exporters might ultimately face reduced trade barriers.