German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron met in Berlin to address growing rifts between their countries on key issues such as defense cooperation, trade policy, and the EU's response to US tariffs.
While both leaders aimed to present a united front, longstanding disagreements—especially over a joint fighter jet project and how to handle escalating trade tensions with the US—remain unresolved. The leaders set an August deadline to resolve their fighter jet dispute, signaling urgency but also ongoing friction. Their meeting comes as the EU prepares potential $100 billion in tariff retaliation against the US, highlighting the high stakes for European unity.
Despite warmer personal relations, the so-called 'Franco-German engine' is sputtering as Europe faces mounting geopolitical and economic challenges.
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