Germany's newly sworn-in Chancellor Friedrich Merz is aiming for a "restart" of relations with France and Poland, he told reporters as he embarked on his inaugural trip abroad that will include visits to both neighbours.

BERLIN — Friedrich Merz made his world-affairs debut Wednesday as Germany’s new chancellor, with plans to immediately team up with allies France and Poland to present a united European front on support for Ukraine and against U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war.

New German Chancellor Friedrich Merz sets off on his first trip abroad on Wednesday to France and Poland in a bid to renew relations with the country's top allies and show that Germany is back on the world stage despite a bumpy start to his government.