Merz is drawing up a plan to avoid a clash with Trump — Bloomberg

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz plans to hold consultations with key European leaders ahead of the NATO summit. The goal of the meetings is to coordinate a common position regarding U.S. President Donald Trump and reduce the risk of internal disputes within the Alliance.

According to Bloomberg, these steps are aimed at overcoming differences among allies and preserving NATO unity during the upcoming summit.

According to the agency’s sources, a meeting of the leaders of Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Poland may take place in Berlin at the end of June. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is also expected to be invited to participate.

It is expected that the meeting participants will prepare a package of measures designed to demonstrate the willingness of European allies to take on greater responsibility for the continent’s defense and the strengthening of NATO.

Why Europe is preparing for talks with Trump

According to Bloomberg, the consultations are taking place against the backdrop of increasingly heated disputes between the Trump administration and European allies.

The U.S. president has repeatedly criticized NATO countries for insufficient defense spending and questioned the partners’ willingness to fulfill their obligations. After the start of the U.S. and Israeli military campaign against Iran, the disagreements only intensified.

European leaders, whom Washington did not involve in decision-making regarding the conflict, largely refused to support the military operation.

Particular tension arose between Trump and Merz. The German chancellor criticized the U.S. administration’s actions regarding Iran and stated that American negotiators were being “humiliated” by their Iranian counterparts.

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