Germany Merz and Macron emphasize Franco-German partnership
Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and French President Emmanuel Macron have emphasized the importance of the Franco-German partnership in difficult global political times. "We stand on the foundation of a close Franco-German friendship that has grown over decades. And we both see this as a great obligation to continue to work on this in the coming years," said Merz at the start of Macron's working visit to Berlin.
23.07.2025, 20:00
SDA
The Franco-German relationship is also very important to him personally, emphasized the Chancellor, who greeted his guest in French with "Bienvenue à Berlin" (Welcome to Berlin). He pointed out that more than half of his cabinet had now made inaugural visits to France after him.
Plenty to talk about: trade, foreign and security policy
Merz said that they would discuss current trade policy, including the customs dispute with the USA, as well as foreign and security policy issues.
On the issue of customs, Macron emphasized that they had already been in constant exchange over the past few days in order to coordinate the response to President Donald Trump's tariff offensive. According to Macron, Italy and the EU Commission were also involved. They share the desire to provide stability and have as low tariffs as possible. At the same time, they wanted to be respected as partners.
Macron emphasized the personal friendship between him and Merz and between their two countries. The Franco-German relationship and the common will to advance mutual and European agendas are essential, said the French President. "Thank you very much, Friedrich," he said at the end of his statement in German.
