German chancellor Friedrich Merz has stressed the importance of a “reliable transatlantic partnership” with the United States, despite rising tensions with U.S. president Donald Trump. A visit to an army training ground in northern Germany on Thursday, April 30th saw Merz say Germany and its allies were guided by a “clear compass” in a period of global instability:
This compass remains oriented toward a united NATO and a reliable transatlantic partnership.
The remarks come amid the ongoing Iran conflict and strains on wider NATO cooperation, wherein
Trump earlier criticised Merz for his comments on Iran, before suggesting that the United States could reduce its troop presence in Germany. The U.S. currently stations tens of thousands of troops ed there as part of its NATO commitments.
Merz did not directly respond to Trump’s troop remarks, but emphasised ongoing dialogue with Washington, stating
We are in close and trusting contact with our partners, including and especially in Washington.
He added that such coordination was in the shared transatlantic interest and should be based on “mutual respect and fair burden-sharing.”
“This transatlantic partnership is particularly close to our hearts—both to us as a whole and to me personally,” Merz said.
