German Chancellor Friedrich Merz downplayed the rift in EU-US relations when he said Trump's December 10 call with the Europeans was “constructive”.
The Guardian newspaper wrote about this.
“Merz dismissed suggestions of a clash with Trump as he said they had a 'constructive' conversation. Responding to questions on the issue, he downplayed tensions between the two sides,” the newspaper wrote.
Merz called his conversation with Trump about resolving the Ukraine crisis “very detailed” and emphasized that both sides showed “mutual respect,” The Guardian reported.
The Prime Minister also announced the possibility of a meeting with US officials in Berlin “early next week” and expressed confidence that “the US President knows that Europeans must be listened to”.
On December 10, Merz, along with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, presented Trump with a proposal for territorial concessions from Ukraine.
The contact took place amid the conflict between the US and the EU, which began after the White House announced a new National Security Strategy. It accuses the European Union of unchecked migration, censorship and “undermining democratic processes.”
Another reason for the confrontation is the 120 million euro fine imposed by the European Union on Elon Musk's social network Axios calls the conflict “the new Cold War.”
