German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said his relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump remains “good and unchanged,” even as Berlin continues to voice concern over the prolonged conflict involving Iran and its economic consequences for Europe.
Speaking to reporters in Berlin, Merz addressed questions about his increasingly critical tone toward the war and Trump’s recent attacks on social media. Despite the public disagreement, the German leader insisted that personal communication with the U.S. president had not deteriorated.
“The personal relationship between the American president and myself remains, in my view, unchanged and good,” Merz said.
At the same time, the chancellor warned that Germany and the wider European economy are already feeling the effects of the conflict, particularly because of disruptions linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important routes for energy shipments.
According to Merz, the extended confrontation between the United States, Israel and Iran is directly affecting energy supplies to Europe and Germany, placing additional pressure on economic growth and industrial activity.
He called for renewed diplomatic efforts to bring the conflict to an end, arguing that continued escalation would only deepen the economic damage.
“That is why I am calling for this conflict to be resolved and for us to continue holding productive talks with one another,” Merz said. “To put it in Anglo-American terms, we are still on good terms.”
His remarks suggest that while Germany remains concerned about Washington’s strategy toward Iran, Berlin is seeking to keep diplomatic channels with the Trump administration open. Merz’s position reflects a broader European concern that a prolonged crisis in the Gulf could intensify energy uncertainty and further strain already fragile economic conditions.
