Franco-German Alliance Strains Under Pressure from US-EU Trade Tensions and Defense Disputes

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 cooperation, trade policy, and the EU's response to US tariffs.

While both leaders emphasized the importance of presenting a united front, disagreements persist over the joint fighter jet project and how to handle escalating trade conflicts with the United States. The talks aimed to set an August deadline to resolve the fighter jet dispute and to coordinate a European response to potential US tariffs. Despite warmer personal relations compared to previous administrations, the so-called 'Franco-German engine' is struggling to regain momentum.

The outcome of these discussions will be crucial for the EU's ability to act cohesively on defense and trade matters.