US remains 'indispensable' friend: Merz

Germany's new Chancellor Friedrich Merz discussed the Ukraine war and trade rows with US President Donald Trump on Thursday and said the United States remained Berlin's “indispensable” partner, using their first phone call to attempt to heal frayed ties.

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Since Mr Trump returned to the White House, he has rattled Europe with head-pinning changes in security and trade policy, while his top administration officials have strongly supported Germanys far-right AfD party.

Mr Merz, despite being an avowed transatlanticist, has called for Europe to become more independent of its traditional Nato ally and said after his February election win that he had “no illusions” about the new tone from Washington.

But in their talk on Thursday, the conservative Merz “assured the American President that, 80 years after the end of the Second World War, the USA remains an indispensable friend and partner of Germany’ said a statement from Berlin. “Both agreed to a close exchange and announced mutual visits to the USA and Germany.”