German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron met in Berlin to address growing divisions between their countries on key issues such as defense strategy, NATO, and EU-US trade relations.
Despite warmer personal relations compared to previous leadership, the so-called 'Franco-German engine' is sputtering due to disagreements over tariffs, trade retaliation, and leadership in joint defense projects. The talks come as the EU prepares potential $100 billion tariff retaliation against the US, highlighting the high stakes for European unity. Both leaders emphasized the need for trade stability and lower tariffs, but deep policy differences remain unresolved.
Their meeting underscores the challenges facing Europe's two largest economies as they seek to present a united front in a turbulent geopolitical climate.
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