Key facts
- Germany will participate in a French nuclear exercise and a French-led Ukraine military maneuver.
- France and Germany aim to create a joint roadmap by September to address China's trade practices.
- The leaders will push the European Commission for faster market investigations and protective instruments for industries.
- Macron and Merz met for the 26th Franco-German ministerial council near Cologne.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hosted French President Emmanuel Macron near Cologne for the 26th Franco-German ministerial council, where the leaders announced deepened defense ties and a commitment to confront China's trade practices. Merz stated that Germany will participate in a French nuclear exercise later this year and a French-led military maneuver in the autumn related to Ukraine. A strategic steering group will be established to examine future deterrence strategies, complementing NATO's framework.