BERLIN (dpa-AFX) – Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul continues to believe that the transatlantic relationship is resilient despite US President Donald Trump’s recent verbal attacks. “I got to know the American administration in depth, from the State Department to the NATO structures. There I experience again and again that the transatlantic alliance is solid,” said the CDU politician to the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.”
Wadephul defended Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) against criticism from Trump, who was outraged by the German head of government’s statements on the Iran conflict. “The Chancellor’s warning was clearly addressed to Iran, namely not to overextend the situation and not to challenge the USA any further,” said Wadephul. “In any case, Iran’s leadership would be very well advised to quickly accept the US offer to negotiate.”
At the beginning of the week, Merz criticized during a discussion with students in Sauerland that the USA had “obviously gone into this war without any strategy.” With regard to the peace negotiations with Iran, he said of the USA: “An entire nation is being humiliated by the Iranian government.” Trump reacted angrily and shortly afterwards threatened to partially withdraw US troops from Germany.
Wadephul assured that Germany continues to coordinate very closely with the USA. “The Americans have realized politically that they can rely on Germany when in doubt. In our discussions with Washington, we were told that our role is valued,” said the Foreign Minister. “At the same time, it remains the same: we were not the ones who initiated this armed conflict.”/wn/DP/he
