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

The German Chancellor lobbies for Ukraine and finds the appropriate tone to negotiate with the president without clashes in front of the cameras. In the last four and a half months, Donald Trump has set up all kinds of traps for the world's top leaders.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday said Germany, Europe's largest economy, was ready to take over a greater leadership role on future trade agreements as the United States and the EU race to reach a trade deal before a July 9 deadline.