German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron have met in Berlin to reaffirm their partnership at the heart of the European Union.
Despite warmer personal relations, the 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 EU-US trade tensions and tariffs. Both leaders have pledged to resolve their differences, setting an August deadline to settle the fighter jet dispute and presenting a united front on trade policy. However, ongoing disagreements threaten to undermine the so-called 'Franco-German engine' that has traditionally driven European integration.
Their ability to bridge these gaps will be crucial for the EU's response to global challenges and its internal cohesion.
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