German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reportedly commented on his relations with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, saying that although they maintain a working relationship, a significant rift remains over the war in Iran.
Merz reaffirmed his deep concerns about the serious economic consequences of the conflict, particularly the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The public disagreement highlights differing views between the Trump administration and its European NATO allies on Iran, as well as tensions over the conflict in Ukraine.
On Tuesday, Trump criticized Marez’s stance in a social media post, alleging that the German chancellor thought it was “okay” for Iran to have nuclear weapons. According to reports, Trump said Meraz “had no idea what he was really talking about.” reuters.
Merz told reporters, “From my perspective, my personal relationship with the American president remains good. I had doubts from the beginning about what started with the war in Iran. That’s why I made it clear.”
“In Germany and Europe, we are suffering from the consequences, such as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This has a direct impact on our energy supplies and a huge impact on our economic performance,” Merz said, adding that Washington and Berlin were talking to each other.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday rebuked Washington, claiming Iran was “humiliating” the United States by involving officials in meaningless peace talks in Pakistan without a clear exit strategy.
Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz has been virtually closed since early March, causing global market turmoil and unprecedented energy disruptions.
President Donald Trump has sharply criticized NATO allies for refusing to provide naval support to reopen vital shipping lanes. Despite the current ceasefire, the conflict remains deadlocked as both sides struggle to negotiate a formal peace treaty.
