Vance Meets German President Steinmeier at Munich Security Conference

Vice President JD Vance met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Munich Security Conference on Feb. 14, 2025. Germany's president holds a largely ceremonial role; Chancellor Friedrich Merz held executive authority over policy. The meeting came after Vance delivered an address at the conference sharply criticizing European leaders on immigration and free speech restrictions, which drew widespread condemnation from European officials.