German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron met in Berlin to reaffirm their partnership at the heart of the European Union.
Despite warmer personal relations, the two leaders are struggling to overcome deep divisions on key issues such as defense cooperation, particularly a joint fighter jet project, and how to respond to escalating trade tensions with the United States. Both leaders pledged to resolve their differences over the fighter jet program by the end of August and to present a united front on EU-US trade policy, including potential tariff retaliation. However, ongoing disagreements threaten to undermine the effectiveness of the Franco-German 'engine' that has traditionally driven European integration.
The outcome of these talks will be crucial for the EU's ability to respond to global challenges and maintain internal cohesion.
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