Merz was welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris, marking the start of what both leaders hope will be a revitalised Franco-German partnership.
Their talks focused on countering US President Donald Trump’s escalating trade measures and reinforcing EU support for Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing invasion.
The alliance of Europe’s two largest economies has long been central to the EU, and Merz and Macron now aim to restore its momentum at a time of mounting global pressures.
