Friedrich Merz, Germany's likely next chancellor, said U.S. President Donald Trump's pause of tariffs for 90 days was evidence of a united European approach to trade having a positive effect, and called for tariff-free U.

Germany's centrist parties on Wednesday finalized a coalition agreement, paving the way for the Christian Democratic Union, Christian Social Union and Social Democratic Party to form the country's new government.

Germany's conservative chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz was to unveil Wednesday his party's coalition deal with the centre-left Social Democrats, paving the way to soon forge a new government. He wants the new alliance with the Social Democrats (SPD) of outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz to be able to launch a new government by early May.