WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – President Donald Trump is hosting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the White House on Thursday.

Trump and Chancellor Friedrich Merz have spoken several times by phone, either bilaterally or with other European leaders, since Merz took office on May 6. Merz hopes to keep the U.S. on board with Western support for Ukraine and tamp down trade tensions which threaten Europe’s biggest economy.

“I’m very happy to be here again and offer our close cooperation with the United States of America,” Merz said.

Merz said Germans “owe the Americans a lot” and “we will never forget about that.”

The chancellor also noted Trump’s German background and said it was a “good basis” for consultation. Trump’s father was born in Germany.

German officials say the two leaders have started to build a “decent” relationship, with Merz wanting to avoid the antagonism that defined Trump’s relationship with one of his predecessors, Angela Merkel, in the Republican president’s first term.

The 69-year-old Merz is a conservative former rival of Merkel’s who took over her party after she retired from politics. Merz also comes to office with an extensive business background something that could align him with Trump.

This meeting kicks off a series of meetings between the president and European leaders.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.