Transatlantic relations between the U.S. and Europe, and especially Germany, are strained after German Chancellor Angela Merkel turned down an invitation from Washington to attend a G7 leaders’ summit later this month because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Asked to describe the transatlantic relationship, Maas said „we are close partners in a transatlantic alliance. But: it’s complicated.“
Maas had previous criticized Trump over his response to mass protests in the U.S. following the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, while in police custody.
„I believe it is wrong to threaten further violence in a very tense situation,“ Maas told Bild. „Democrats should always reconcile and not divide. There hasn’t been any reaction yet. But I’m quite sure — regardless of who’s currently in the White House — that our partnership with the U.S. is so close and resilient that it can take criticism.“
The German foreign minister added that he hoped an EU-China summit that had been due to take place in September in Leipzig, but was postponed last week, could take place later this year.
Source: politico.com
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