Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday said Germany, Europe's largest economy, was ready to take over a greater leadership role on future trade agreements as the United States and the EU race to reach a trade deal before a July 9 deadline.

The White House expects the "best offer" by Wednesday from countries trying to negotiate a trade deal with the U.S.

The letter is meant as a progress check on trade partners, not necessarily a request for a final offer, an official close to the matter told The Post.

Germany’s new chancellor has a mission when he meets President Trump: keeping him invested in the fate of Europe. Friedrich Merz is the latest leader from the continent to travel to the White House in recent weeks,

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt took questions Tuesday on trade negotiations with China as well as where things stand with the potential nuclear deal with Iran. CBS News' Olivia Rinaldi reports.

President Donald Trump in April paused his reciprocal tariffs on most U.S. trade partners for 90-days, pushing implementation of the steep levies to early July.

The Trump administration asked countries to send their best offer on trade negotiations ahead of a self-imposed deadline in five weeks, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. The letter wa