German CDU politician Friedrich Merz reported on Monday that he had spoken with US President Donald Trump, describing the conversation as a “good phone call”. The call occurred while Trump was returning from China.
According to Merz, during the discussion, they reached several points of agreement. Specifically, he stated that both leaders are aligned on the notion that Iran must enter negotiations, that the Strait of Hormuz needs to remain open, and that Tehran must not possess nuclear weapons. Furthermore, Merz said that he spoke with Trump about a path toward a peace solution for Ukraine and coordinated their views ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara. He emphasized their shared commitment, noting, “The USA and Germany are strong partners in a powerful NATO”.
This latest conversation comes after a period of significant tension between Merz and Trump. The rift began when the Chancellor was spotted making remarks at an event in a school, criticizing the true strategy of the United States during the Iran War. Trump reacted swiftly to this criticism, immediately pushing back against the German CDU leader and even threatening to withdraw several thousand US soldiers from Germany.
