Merkel: US, Britain No Longer Reliable Allies

The German chancellor suggests that Trump and Brexit have changed things for Europe
By Gina Carey,  Newser Staff
Posted May 28, 2017 2:26 PM CDT
Updated May 29, 2017 6:36 AM CDT
Merkel and Trump: 2 Very Different Takes on G7 Summit
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is urging European Union nations to stick together in the face of new uncertainty over the United States and other challenges.   (Matthias Balk/dpa via AP)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Trump walked away from the G7 summit in Sicily with very different takes on the meetings. The BBC reports that Merkel made a somber speech at an election event in Munich on Sunday, suggesting that Europe could “no longer rely on allies” Britain and the US. “The times in which we could completely depend on others are on the way out," she said. "I've experienced that in the last few days." Without mentioning Trump by name, she referenced the conversations that the seven leaders present had surrounding the 2015 Paris climate deal, which Trump has not agreed to uphold, as “six against one” and "very difficult, not to say very unsatisfactory." Merkel also referred to Britain's decision to leave the European Union.

Meanwhile, Trump described meetings at the summit as “great” on Twitter, and upon returning stateside, tweeted, “Just returned from Europe. Trip was a great success for America. Hard work but big results!” Merkel stressed that moving forward with “friendship” toward the US and Britain were priorities, but that Europe must begin fending for itself more strongly in several areas, including defense, reports the New York Times. “We Europeans must really take our fate into our own hands,” said Merkel, who is up for reelection as chancellor in September. (Trump says he'll make his decision on the Paris pact this week.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X