German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has been forging relations with US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. However, these relationships have evolved in very different ways — some better, others worse than expected.

Relations between Merz and Macron have soured. In early June, the joint German-French fighter jet project FCAS collapsed after nine years of negotiations. According to Linn Selle of the German Council on Foreign Relations, this symbolizes the faltering of European defense integration.

With Italian Prime Minister Meloni, Merz has built closer ties than anticipated. Despite Meloni's right-wing background, Merz values her as a pragmatic mediator in the EU-US tariff dispute. Both leaders share a desire for greater competition and reduced bureaucracy within the EU.

Relations with US President Trump remain strained. Merz made three visits to the White House, but his critical remarks on the Iran war provoked Trump's anger, who attacked Merz on Truth Social, blaming Germany's poor economic performance.

With British Prime Minister Starmer, Merz has established a relationship of trust, particularly in supporting Ukraine. Starmer seeks rapprochement with the EU, which finds support in Berlin.

Experts note that Merz's foreign policy has limited success: relations with France have cooled, with the US have become tense, while cooperation with Italy and the UK is relatively good.

Source: www.dw.com