German Chancellor: US Remains NATO's Most Important Partner

Berlin (ANTARA) - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz believes that, despite his differing opinions with US President Donald Trump regarding the conflict in Iran, America remains the most important partner within NATO. “I must admit that the American president has a different view on these issues than we do,” said Merz in an interview with ARD television station. “However, that does not change my conviction that America is an important partner for us, the most important in the North Atlantic alliance, and that we have common interests in Europe and America moving forward hand in hand,” he added. At the same time, the Chancellor reiterated his criticism of the US strategy towards Iran. “I told him [Trump]: if you want us to help you in such a conflict, contact us first to ask,” Merz continued. US President Donald Trump recently criticised the German chancellor, who on 27 April stated that Western countries have underestimated Iran and that the US risks becoming entangled in a long-term conflict in the Middle East. Trump accused Merz of incompetence and announced that the United States is considering reducing the US military contingent in Germany. On the night of 2 April, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed to RIA Novosti the US Department of Defense’s decision to withdraw 5,000 US troops from Germany within six to 12 months.