The Chancellor regrets the immigration restrictions imposed by the US government. She explained this to President Donald Trump in a telephone conversation on Saturday. On Wednesday, following intensive discussions between the two governments, the situation of German citizens who also hold other citizenships was clarified.
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On Monday (30 January) Chancellor Angela Merkel commented on the travel ban imposed by American President Donald Trump. "The necessary and resolute fight against terrorism in no way justifies a general suspicion against all people who share a certain faith, in this case people of Muslim faith, or people from a certain background," said Chancellor Angela Merkel during a press conference with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.
The procedures adopted by the US administration contradicts the fundamental philosophy of international refugee assistance and international cooperation, continued Angela Merkel. The German government will be working in particular for holders of dual citizenship, and will endeavour to clarify their legal position and effectively represent their interests.
To this end the German government established contact with the relevant instances in Washington D.C. At the government press conference on Wednesday, Federal Foreign Office spokesperson Martin Schäfer explained these contacts. He announced that German citizens, who also hold one or more other citizenships, will be able to enter the USA under the same conditions as before.
On Friday President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning refugees and citizens of a number of mainly Muslim countries from entering the USA. Federal government spokesperson Steffen Seibert reported at the weekend that the Chancellor had explained her position to President Trump when she spoke to him at length by telephone on Saturday (28 January).
Donald Trump and Angela Merkel spoke by telephone on Saturday afternoon (28 January) for the first time since the inauguration of the new President on 20 January. They discussed a wide spectrum of issues including NATO, the situation in the Middle East and North Africa, the conflict in Ukraine, and relations to Russia including sanctions.
A common denominator was the "fundamental importance" of NATO for transatlantic relations and for preserving peace and stability. Both are convinced that common defence calls for appropriate investment in military capabilities and a fair contribution on the part of all allies to ensuring collective security.
They also agreed to step up their cooperation in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism and in stabilising the Middle East and North Africa.
They also expressed their intentions "to further intensify the already excellent bilateral relations over the years to come". President Trump accepted the invitation of the Chancellor to attend the G20 summit in Hamburg in July, and said he would be very happy to welcome her to Washington D.C. soon.