Merkel insists U.S. ties key to Germany despite Trump tensions
by The Associated Press
Merkel ranks trans-Atlantic co-operation above tensions with the U.S. president
BERLIN – German Chancellor Angela Merkel says the trans-Atlantic relationship remains “central” to her government despite tensions with President Donald Trump.
Merkel didn’t respond directly when asked about the relationship at a news conference Friday whether, given Trump’s about-turns on various issues.
Trump has frequently criticized Germany for what he views as inadequate military spending and over a planned new natural gas pipeline linking Germany with Russia.
Merkel said that “the order we are used to is under strong pressure at the moment.”
However, she said trans-Atlantic co-operation, including with the president of the United States of America, is “of course central for us and I will continue to nurture it.”
Merkel said she won’t back off seeing multilateral approaches and remains convinced that co-operation produces “win-win” situations.
