Despite the differences, the German Chancellor confirms his commitment to working with Trump
Declare German Chancellor Friedrich Merz‘s commitment to working with US President Donald Trump, despite the controversy between the two men over The war in Iran.
Meretz said in an interview with the channel "A.R.D" General German: "I will not back down from working on the transatlantic relationship, and I will not back down from working with Donald Trump"
Meretz sought to downplay the tension with Trump, noting, for example, that the announcement that the United States was withdrawing 5,000 troops from its bases in Germany was not a surprise and should not be considered an act of retaliation.
Meretz said in the interview: "Maybe a bit of an exaggeration, but it’s nothing new"
The criticism of Meretz and other European leaders of the US-Israeli war against Iran aroused Trump’s ire. The latest chapter of this dispute was revealed after Meretz said on April 27 that Iran was humiliating Washington at the negotiating table.
This sparked a series of angry American responses, including statements by Trump in which he said that Meretz’s performance in the Chancellery was terrible.
The decision to withdraw American forces
Meretz stressed that there was nothing to do with the decision to withdraw American forces. With mutual criticism between Berlin and Washington.
In the interview, it appeared that the advisor sought to justify an American retreat, at least for the time being, from deploying long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles in Germany, by depleting weapons stocks as a result of the wars in Iran and Ukraine.
Former US President Joe Biden had announced the decision to deploy the missiles in Germany.
Mertz said that the Americans themselves do not have enough at the present time, and objectively, the possibility of abandoning the United States is almost non-existent. Weapon systems of this type".
But he stressed that the matter has not yet been decided regarding the possibility of cooperation in the future, and pointed out that NATO countries can move forward in deterring Russia without these missiles or even without American forces.
Trump’s criticism of the Europeans continues
Trump’s criticism of European leaders is not limited to Meretz, as Trump has previously mocked British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
/>On Thursday, he said in a statement to reporters: "Italy was of no help to us, and Spain was absolutely terrible"
But Meretz stressed that he shares Trump’s goal of ensuring that Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon, despite his criticism of how the United States has managed the conflict.
Meretz said in the interview: "We have a different outlook on this war, and that’s no secret, and I’m not the only one who feels that way"
He stressed that Trump respects his right to adopt different points of view, although perhaps less so at the present time.
He added: But that does not change the fact that I am still convinced that the Americans are important partners for us, and indeed they are our most important partners in NATO.
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