Merz and Macron: Common solution for armaments dispute until the end of August!

Merz and Macron: Common solution for armaments dispute until the end of August!

Even in the summer of 2025, the political parquet between Germany and France does not remain untouched by tensions and challenges. The focus is on the dispute over the FCAS air combat system (Future Combat Air System), on which both countries work intensively, but are currently on different ways. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron have set themselves the goal of bringing clarity into the matter by the end of August. According to Boyens Medien, the Defense Minister of both countries should jointly evaluate realistic perspectives for cooperation and submit suggestions for conflict resolution.

A key point of the dispute is to attain the endeavor of Dassault, the French company, an 80 percent participation in the FCAS project. However, Germany sees this as unacceptable and expects the existing agreements to be observed. In order to take constructive steps, a joint cabinet meeting for August 28 and 29 is scheduled in Toulon. In addition, the schedule is certain: the FCAS should be operational from 2040 and replace the old Eurofighter, for total costs that are estimated on a three -digit billions of billions.

Commercial conflicts and reactions

Regardless of the armaments debate, Merz and Macron look at the trade relationships with the USA. US President Donald Trump has recently threatened to do tariffs, this time on European goods such as champagne and cheese. These developments add OE24 in a comprehensive context. Trump sees the EU as an unfair trading partner and has already announced that it wants to check up to 100 percent punitive tariffs for French products worth around $ 2.4 billion. France has reacted to the threats with clear words and announced that they take countermeasures.

The trade conflict between the United States and Europe could also tighten, especially if one looks at the continuing discussions about digital tax, which also affects countries such as Austria. This tax aims at large US technology groups, which feel disadvantaged by the new regulation. It is expected that the responsible EU commissions will appear United and the US threats resolutely oppose.

International tensions

The international relationships are also on the brink in the face of urgent humanitarian questions. Merz and Macron are concerned about the situation in the Gaza Strip and calls on Israel to an immediate ceasefire. While France signed the appeal of 28 countries to terminate the Gaza War, Germany remains reserved and has not joined it.

Another point on the two state leaders' agenda are discussions about the situation in Ukraine and the fight against corruption. Macron has been called up his first meeting in Germany since the change of government on May 6th to deepen Franco-German relationships and develop common strategies.

In order to make the exchange a pleasant experience, Merz Macron invited to lunch in the Villa Borsig on Lake Tegel, where he came up with a delicious tomato salad, seafood and veal back.

The bottom line is that it is clear: While important decisions have to be made in the armaments sector, politicians should not lose sight of the trade relationships and geopolitical challenges. There is still a lot to do for the two statesmen!