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

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.

President Donald Trump is meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the White House at 11:45 a.m. The meeting comes amid a July 9 deadline, in which the Trump administration has threatened to impose a 50% tariff on all imports from the European Union.