Merz Seeks Closer German Ties With Italy as He Cools on Macron

Chancellor Friedrich Merz is seeking to deepen Germany’s relationship with Italy amid growing divisions with the French government over European trade policy and the challenge of dealing with US President Donald Trump.

Merz will travel to Rome Friday for a joint cabinet meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni where they plan to discuss ways to strengthen European economies. The two governments will be looking to coordinate on measures that will make the European Union less susceptible to pressure from trading partners and global powers, according to a paper prepared ahead of the talks and seen by Bloomberg.