Merz on the USA: “I’m not giving up working with Trump” | EUROtoday

As of: May 4, 2026 • 6:41 a.m

Chancellor Merz has confirmed that the USA is not going to station “Tomahawk” cruise missiles in Germany in the intervening time. But there isn’t a connection to his criticism of Trump. In the ARD-Interview Merz typically defended his communication fashion.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz has confirmed that the “Tomahawk” cruise missiles from the USA promised by then US President Joe Biden in 2024 is not going to be stationed in Germany, no less than in the intervening time. “The Americans don’t have enough themselves at the moment,” mentioned Merz within the ARD present “Caren Miosga”. “Objectively, there is hardly any possibility from the USA to hand over weapon systems of this type.” At the identical time, he emphasised: “The train has not left.”

The “Tomahawk” cruise missiles, which have a spread so far as Russia, had been meant to strengthen Germany’s deterrence functionality till Europe has developed applicable missiles itself.

Merz: “A bit pointed, but it’s not new”

There are “no compromises at all” with regards to US nuclear participation, Merz added within the ARD broadcast added: “There are no restrictions on the American commitment to nuclear deterrence in NATO territory. There is no doubt about that at any point.”

Merz referred to as the withdrawal of greater than 5,000 US troopers from Germany introduced by US President Donald Trump on Friday “not new”. It is a contingent that Trump’s predecessor Biden had stationed on a brief foundation and whose withdrawal had been mentioned for a very long time. “It may be a bit heightened, but it’s not new.”

“No connection” with statements in regards to the Iran battle

Merz denied a direct connection between Trump’s bulletins and his personal important statements in regards to the Iran battle: “There is no connection.” He reiterated his criticism of the USA’s Iran technique and defended the assertion that Iran had “humiliated” the USA.

Merz mentioned at an occasion with college students on Monday that the Americans clearly had no technique within the Iran battle – which is precisely what many specialists see, comparable to Cornelius Adebahr from the German Council on Foreign Relations. But Merz selected phrases that clearly angered Trump personally. With regard to the USA, the Chancellor mentioned: “An entire nation is being humiliated by the Iranian government.” Since then, Trump has verbally attacked him a number of instances in social media posts.

At “Caren Miosga” Merz now mentioned he was not giving up engaged on the transatlantic relationship: “I’m not giving up working with Donald Trump either.” He needed to settle for that the US President had a unique opinion. “But that doesn’t change the fact that I remain convinced that the Americans are our most important partners in the North Atlantic Alliance.”

“Increasing dissatisfaction with compromises”

Merz expressed himself within the ARD-Talkshow additionally spoke intimately about German home politics and acknowledged rising discontent inside his personal ranks in regards to the local weather within the black-red coalition. There is “increasing resentment about compromises” within the Union, mentioned Merz. He made it clear that he was not searching for a majority aside from black and pink – not even with the acquiescence of the AfD: that was out of the query for him.

“But that shouldn’t lead the SPD to think that they can do whatever they want with us,” added Merz. Rather, he expects from the SPD “the same willingness to compromise as we show,” mentioned the Chancellor and CDU chief. “We’re showing them. I’ve been very patient so far, including in dealing with the SPD. However, the SPD also needs to know that compromises are a two-way street. We both have to make them.”

Merz confirmed no willingness to compromise on the SPD’s demand for larger taxation of upper incomes. He clearly rejected this once more. Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) should “know that this doesn’t work with the CDU/CSU – nor with me,” mentioned Merz.

Dobrindt: You ought to keep away from fashion debates

Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt mentioned he noticed the desire in all the coalition to “work together sensibly and trustingly.” But this does not occur each day in public communication, mentioned the CSU politician within the ARD broadcast report from Berlin. “You have to be a little careful now that you don’t slide from a content debate into a style debate,” says Dobrindt. “None of us can win style debates at all.” That’s why it’s best to keep away from them.

The similarities within the black-red coalition are larger than was ever the case within the site visitors mild coalition. The coalition agreed that it needed to deliver the nation collectively in the course of politics – in any other case solely the political fringes would profit, mentioned Dobrindt. He isn’t nervous a few “traffic light 2.0”. But you at all times should be ready to not throw within the towel right away.

Merz: “Nobody is suggesting pension cuts”

Almost a 12 months after the Merz authorities took workplace, the temper within the black-red coalition is tense attributable to variations of opinion on reforms and different legislative proposals. Making issues worse is the poor financial state of affairs and weak survey outcomes for each the SPD and the CDU/CSU.

The Chancellor commented on his just lately controversial pension statements at “Caren Miosga” clear: “No one in this country is proposing pension cuts. They would not even be permitted.” When requested about his formulation that the statutory pension will in future be “at best basic security”, he essentially defended his communication fashion.

“I’m naturally self-critical, and when I see reactions like that, I ask myself: What could you have said better? I’ll say it better next time. But I won’t say it any differently.” Merz is repeatedly accused of hitting the flawed tone too usually – most just lately along with his statements about US coverage in direction of Iran.

The present “Caren Miosga” with Merz was recorded. It might be broadcast on Erste within the night.