German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Europe must prepare for a reduced U.S. role on the continent even as Berlin works to keep Washington closely engaged. Speaking on 3 July, Merz warned that “American engagement in Europe will be lower” and urged the European Union to safeguard key industries such as autos, steel and pharmaceuticals as transatlantic trade tensions intensify. Merz added on 9 July that he is in “intensive contact” with both the U.S. administration and the European Commission over import tariffs, seeking a swift resolution to avoid the escalation foreseen under U.S. measures that take effect this week. Against that backdrop, Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron will meet in Berlin during the week of 21 July to resolve a dispute delaying their joint next-generation fighter-jet programme, a project viewed in Paris and Berlin as central to Europe’s future defence capabilities.