Germany’s foreign minister, Heiko Maas, has said he wants to revitalise his country’s relationship with the United States following the presidential election. Tensions between the Trump-led White House and Berlin have been rising for years — to the point where, during the campaign, Trump told his supporters that ‘Germany wants me out’, mentioning the long-time transatlantic partner in the same breath as China and Iran.
Trump may be right with his assessment. Chancellor Angela Merkel and her German officials have been put off by Trump’s erratic behaviour, with regular briefings against the President emanating from the Chancellery. Trump, in return, has often accused Germany of not committing enough financial resources to military investments, while also criticising Germany’s relationship with Russia in light of the construction of the Nord Stream gas pipeline.
‘We want a new deal in this partnership. We are ready to invest in our relationship,’ Heiko Maas said earlier this week. ‘Regardless
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