Friedrich Merz poised to lead Germany as tensions with Donald Trump loom

Friedrich Merz is favored to become Germany's next Chancellor in the upcoming election on February 23. His party leads in polls with about 30% support, ahead of the far-Right AfD at 20%, while Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats trail. Merz's potential leadership may lead to conflicts with Donald Trump, particularly over trade and defense. He has criticized Trump's tariff policies, warning they could harm American consumers and escalate trade tensions. If elected, Merz is expected to adopt a more transactional approach to international relations, focusing on strengthening ties with the US and EU. His conservative policies on migration may complicate negotiations with the UK and other EU countries.