German Chancellor gives Trump jersey at G7 summit

At the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, on Tuesday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz presented U.S. President Donald Trump with a personalized German national team football jersey as a belated birthday gift, a conciliatory gesture amid recent transatlantic tensions. The jersey featured Trump's name and the number 47, referencing his status as the 47th U.S. president, and was given as leaders gathered for sessions primarily focused on the war in Ukraine and a newly proposed peace framework for the conflict between the United States and Iran.

The gift, which Trump accepted with a smile, was accompanied by a public message from Merz stating, "Happy belated 80th birthday... After all, we're on the same team." The presentation carried added symbolism with the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Both national teams recently secured opening victories in the tournament.

The friendly exchange marked a shift from a recent period of strain, during which European leaders had condemned U.S. military actions in Iran, prompting Trump to announce a partial withdrawal of American troops from Europe. The arrival at the summit of at least the...