Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany's main conservative party and frontrunner to be the country's next chancellor, is advocating for a new attempt at a transatlantic free trade agreement with the US under President-elect Donald Trump.

Friedrich Merz said a new push for a free trade deal with the US could "prevent a dangerous spiral of tariffs." The opposition Christian Democrat leader hopes to become chancellor after February's early elections.

German conservative leader Friedrich Merz, who is favoured to succeed Olaf Scholz as chancellor, would support a new attempt at talks on a free trade deal with the United States in response to tougher trade conditions,