Trump sharply attacked German Chancellor Friedrich Merz after he said that the US clearly has no plan in its war against Iran. This is another escalation of tensions between the American president and NATO allies.
"He doesn't know what he's talking about", said Donald Trump in reference to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The American president reacted sharply to Merz's criticism, who said that Washington clearly has no strategy in the war against Iran, and that Tehran is on the way to "humiliate the United States".
Merz's words apparently angered Trump, who sharply attacked him on social media. Merz wanted Iran to have nuclear weapons. In addition, it was no surprise "that Germany is so bad - both economically and in other aspects" given the Chancellor's statements.
"Deep division" between Europe and the US
Tensions between Berlin and Washington have been building for months. Back in February, Friedrich Merz said that the US could no longer be relied on to maintain world order. Trump's leadership has caused a "deep division" between Europe and the United States, he told the Munich Security Conference. The major stumbling block, however, turned out to be the war against Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
European countries refused to join the American operation against Iran, which Washington launched without receiving the support of its NATO allies. "This is not Europe's war", EU High Representative Kaia Kallas recently said.
Spain has become a thorn in the side of the US president after first refusing to allow the US military to use military airfields in the country for the operation against the Islamic Republic, and then repeatedly criticizing Washington for violating international law. In response, Trump threatened to cut off all trade with Spain, and leaked emails revealed that the US administration had even discussed whether to expel Madrid from NATO.
Tough times for NATO
"I am now taking action on Iran that other countries or presidents should have taken a long time ago," the US president has now written in response to criticism from Germany.
Given the wide differences and tensions with Trump, NATO members are proposing that the annual meetings of the Alliance's leaders not be held, "Reuters" revealed this week, citing diplomatic sources. Both Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have already announced that the country will review its commitment to NATO because of the war in Iran.