Merz seeks 'clear European position' on tariffs before US visit

(Patria) - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated on Saturday that he will discuss a common response to US tariffs with European allies before his visit to Washington for a meeting with President Donald Trump, AFP reported.

"We will have a very clear European position on this, because tariff policy is a matter for the European Union, not for individual member states," Merz told broadcaster ARD.

"I will be in Washington in a little over a week," he added. "And I will go to Washington with a common European position."

Trump on Friday imposed an additional ten percent tariff on imports to the United States after the Supreme Court overturned many of his comprehensive tariffs imposed last year.

On Saturday, Trump said he was raising the rate to fifteen percent.

Given Trump's additional ten percent tariff, Merz said he still expects German exporters to face fewer tariffs in the future and sees good news in the Supreme Court's ruling.

"For me, there is a reassuring element in yesterday's Supreme Court decision: the separation of powers in the US still appears to be functioning," he said. "That is good news."