Franco-German Relations Through the Lens of Donald Trump’s Second Term: Between Strategic Realignments, European Sovereignty, and the Enduring Transatlantic Bond
Donald Trump’s return to the presidency of the United States in 2025 acts as a powerful catalyst for the Franco-German relationship. Faced with growing uncertainty over the reliability of US security guarantees, Germany, more directly affected by the questioning of the transatlantic relationship, is gradually moving closer to the French position in favor of strengthening European strategic sovereignty.
Friedrich Merz’s arrival as Chancellor in May 2025 thus opens a new phase of cooperation with Paris, following several years marked by significant disagreements. The Franco-German relationship is now increasingly focused on the provision of security: strengthening European defense capabilities, supporting Ukraine, enhancing industrial and technological cooperation, protecting strategic interests, and engaging in dialogue on nuclear deterrence. This convergence reflects a profound transformation of the “Franco-German engine”, which is becoming less an instrument for compromise and the governance of European integration than a framework for jointly adapting to a more unstable international environment. This renewed partnership nevertheless remains constrained by persistent differences in trade, industrial and diplomatic matters. The Trump II presidency does not eliminate disagreements between Paris and Berlin, but it does contribute to redefining the role and priorities of their partnership around the growing imperative of European security.
- This publication is available in French: Allemagne d'aujourd'hui, 2026/3 No. 257, July-September 2026 (pp. 125-136).
>> >> Paul Maurice is Secretary General of The Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa), Ifri.
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Paul MAURICE
Secretary General of the Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa), Ifri
The Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa)
The Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa) was created in 1954 by an inter-governmental agreement between the Federal Republic of Germany and France, in order to raise awareness of Germany in France and analyze Franco-German relations, including in their European and international dimensions. In its conferences and seminars, which bring together experts, political leaders, senior decision-makers and representatives of civil society from both countries, Cerfa develops the Franco-German debate and stimulates political proposals. It regularly publishes studies through two collections: Cerfa notes and studies as well as Franco-German visions.
Cerfa maintains close relations with the network of German foundations and think tanks. In addition to its research and debate activities, Cerfa promotes the emergence of a new Franco-German generation through original cooperation programs. This is how in 2021-2022, Cerfa led a program on multilateralism with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Paris. This program is aimed at young professionals from both countries interested in the issues of multilateralism in the context of their activities. It covered a wide range of themes relating to multilateralism, such as international trade, health, human rights and migration, non-proliferation and disarmament. Previously, Cerfa had participated in the Franco-German future dialogue, co-led with the DGAP from 2007 to 2020, and supported by the Robert Bosch Foundation and the Daniel Vernet group (formerly the Franco-German Reflection Group) which was founded in 2014 upon the initiative of the Genshagen Foundation.
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