Angela Merkel in Washington D.C.
The USA remains a place of longing for many Germans, said the Chancellor following her meeting with President Donald Trump. Germany, she declared, is ready to raise its defence spending. The German government intends to uphold the nuclear deal with Iran, although it shares the concern of the USA with regard to Iranian politics.
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"We Germans too must learn to accept more responsibility," says the Chancellor
Photo: Bundesregierung/Kugler
At the start of her press conference with President Donald Trump, Chancellor Angela Merkel stressed the importance of the transatlantic alliance. Both countries "urgently depend on one another" within this alliance. Where political differences exist, they must be discussed, said the Chancellor. This does not, however, in any way detract from the enormous importance of the USA for the Germans.
"The era of the post-war order is over"
Germany supports NATO’s goal of raising the defence budgets of member states, said the Chancellor, responding to the criticism of the American government that Germany does not do enough for defence.
"We Germans too must learn to accept more responsibility," stressed the Chancellor. "The era of the post-war order is over." Germany’s contribution will have to continue to rise over the next few years. This includes development cooperation, steps to address the root causes of flight and migration and the readiness to engage at diplomatic level, as well as military engagement.
Washington D.C., 27.04.18: The Chancellor arrives at the White House.
The Chancellor last visited Donald Trump in March 2017.
As a gift she brought an etched map of Rhineland Palatinate dated 1705, showing Kallstadt, home of Donald Trump’s German ancestors.
First came a meeting in the Oval Office.
Talks then continued in the Cabinet Room.
The focus was on the nuclear deal with Iran …
... NATO and US trade policy.
Time for a few words before the joint press conference
The Chancellor defended the nuclear deal with Iran. She sees a need for further action to stabilise the region though.
She also declared that Germany supports NATO’s goal of increasing the defence budgets of member states.
Agreement with Iran is the first step
Angela Merkel sees the agreement with Iran as "a first step", which has helped slow Iran’s nuclear activities and made it possible to better monitor these. Germany too believes that the agreement "is anything but perfect". It is not enough to achieve a role for Iran based on reliability. "That is why more must come." It is important to achieve reliability beyond the term of the agreement.
Angela Merkel pointed to the country’s ballistic missile programme. It is "a matter of great concern". The influence of Iran in Syria and Lebanon also concerns the German government greatly. Germany will remain in close dialogue with the USA and others on these points.
For fair trade
The EU and Germany, said Angela Merkel, must negotiate with the USA about fair terms of trade. Germany has already reduced its trade surplus with the USA, she pointed out. On the other hand, tax reform has made the USA more attractive for foreign investment. And hundreds of thousands of cars are built in the USA, and exported worldwide by German companies who provide jobs for American workers.