US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reach to shake hands as they meet in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, March 3, 2026. JONATHAN ERNST / REUTERS
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Sunday, May 3, he would not give up on working with US President Donald Trump, despite a spat between the leaders over the war in Iran. "I am not giving up on working on the transatlantic relationship," Merz told public broadcaster ARD in an interview set to air Sunday night. "Nor am I giving up on working with Donald Trump."
Merz sought to downplay any tensions with Trump, arguing for instance that an abrupt public announcement that the US would pull 5,000 troops from bases in Germany was not surprising and should not be seen as retaliation. "It may be being exaggerated a bit, but it's not new," Merz told talk show host Caren Miosga.
Criticism of the US-Israeli war against Iran from Merz and other European leaders has clearly aggravated Trump. The latest rift came after Merz on April 27 said that Iran was "humiliating" Washington at the negotiating table. That provoked a series of angry responses from Washington, including Trump's comments that Merz was doing a "terrible" job as chancellor.
