The importance of Cash transfers under any program are important to foreign governments. Germany has so many people out of work due to their lack of reliance on cheap dependable Russian energy. Trump is probably remined by Mertz that Germany de-industralized starting with the SMO in 2022. This year alone (2025) Germany has another 12,000 business closed because they can no longer afford the energy costs to run a business.
Mertz probably has some direct handle or finger in US money transfers for anything associated with Ukraine. His party probably takes 10% for their own way of life - after all, being a socialist sucks.
Trump is finding that Project Ukraine is something that has tenacles reaching into every EU country’s economy; possible with guarantees from the Biden Admin to back fill energy and to provide money for weapons sent to Ukraine.
Trump needs to figure out how he is going to shut down the Biden Obligations to NATO member coutnries that provide the financial incentive to keep the war going.... Until the USG stopsl funding NATO member contributions or kickbacks, he will get many many calls from those Gifters seeking USG Funds.
Don’t trust Merz, he sold Germany to the muslims. Its over for Germany.