Macron, Merz Meet to Bolster Franco-German Defence Cooperation

Key facts

• France and Germany agreed to deepen defense cooperation, including missile defense and long-range strike systems.
• Leaders pledged to counter China's economic pressure, citing overcapacity and an undervalued currency.
• France will maintain full responsibility for funding its nuclear deterrent program.
• The Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project will continue with development on cloud-based information systems.
• Germany is expected to participate in a French-led nuclear deterrence scheme this autumn.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron met in Bruehl, Germany, to deepen defense cooperation and address economic competition from China. The leaders pledged to safeguard their collective defense and outlined objectives including missile defense and long-range strike systems. Both leaders criticized China's trade practices, with Macron noting a daily trade deficit of 1 billion euros ($1.14 billion) due to state support for its industry.

The meeting aimed to move past tensions following the collapse of the joint Future Combat Air System (FCAS) fighter jet project earlier this year. Despite the fighter jet program's abandonment, development on the cloud-based information systems at the heart of FCAS is set to continue. Proposals for France to cooperate on nuclear deterrence with Germany were also discussed, with Merz indicating a step-by-step approach that would complement NATO arrangements. Macron emphasized that France would retain full responsibility for funding its nuclear deterrent.

The leaders also addressed concerns about the United States potentially reducing its defense commitments in Europe. The regular joint cabinet meetings also covered European competitiveness, the EU budget, digital regulation, and strategies for competing with the U.S. and China in artificial intelligence.