By Andreas Rinke, Andrea Shalal, Sarah Marsh and Jeff Mason WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz bonded during an amicable White House meeting on Thursday with talks about Ukraine,

WASHINGTON (AP) — Germany’s new leader is meeting President Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday as he works to keep the U.S. on board with Western support for Ukraine, help defuse trade tensions that pose a risk to Europe’s biggest economy and further bolster his country’s long-criticized military spending.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has arrived at the White House. With a customary handshake from President Trump on arrival, the bilateral has begun. Reporters will soon follow them into the Oval Office for their meeting. Our reporters at the White House have spotted German media arriving, the honour guard appearing, and the gates opening.