For better or worse, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s much-anticipated visit to the White House became a backdrop to the Trump-Musk meltdown.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to meet President Trump at the White House, where they are expected to discuss issues including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as tariffs and trade.

BERLIN/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Germany's new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, will hold his first face-to-face talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday in a high stakes meeting in the Oval Office as Europe seeks to stave off looming U.S. tariffs and sustain U.S. backing for Ukraine.