US President Donald Trump continued his attacks on German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, saying that his “performance is very poor” in his own country and that he should spend “less time interfering” in Washington’s efforts to confront the “Iranian nuclear threat.”
Trump has sparred with Merz over the war on Iran in recent days. On Tuesday, the US president said Merz did not know what he was talking about after the German chancellor said the Iranians were insulting the United States in talks aimed at ending the war that has been ongoing for two months.
During an event in the Oval Office, Trump said Merz was struggling domestically with energy and migration problems, and that he had failed to help resolve the Ukrainian crisis.
He added, “He is doing a very bad job. And he has a big problem with Ukraine, because they are mired in this mess.”
For his part, Merz stressed during remarks at a military base the importance of the transatlantic partnership, but did not address Trump’s statements بشأن reducing troop levels. He said Berlin remained in “trust-based contact” with its partners.
He also reaffirmed Germany’s readiness to take part in a military mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if certain requirements are met.
Trump wrote on Truth Social: “Germany’s chancellor should spend more time ending the war between Russia and Ukraine (where he has been totally ineffective!), and fixing his country’s deteriorating situation, especially with regard to migration and energy, and less time interfering in the affairs of those who are getting rid of the Iranian nuclear threat, thereby making the world, including Germany, a safer place.”
