German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pointed out that the President of the United States, Donald Trump, “is right” to feel disappointed with the European Union for the fact that the tariff agreement of August 2025 had not been closed and, consequently, has decided to raise tariffs on European cars.
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Furthermore, the German leader has indicated that the tariff increase on car imports is aimed at the European Union (EU) as a whole and not specifically at Germany. “He wants to target all of Europe,” he stated.
According to Merz, there is still resistance to the agreement in the European Parliament and he explained that Trump was becoming impatient as the European side kept presenting new conditions.
Merz states that Trump wants to target “all of Europe” with tariffs and not specifically Germany
Merz’s statements contradict the European Parliament, which through a statement expressed this past weekend that it is fulfilling the commitments made with the United States and reserves the right to respond to protect its own interests.
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In August 2025, Trump and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, agreed on a framework that limited tariffs to 15% on most EU products imported to the United States, including cars and car parts.
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Trump declared on Friday that he planned to increase tariffs on cars and trucks imported from the EU to 25% starting next week, alleging that the bloc had not complied with the agreed trade framework.
Meanwhile, regarding the withdrawal of US soldiers from German bases, Merz has downplayed his statements about Iranian diplomats “humiliating” the US delegation in Pakistan during peace negotiations, and has stated that the departure of US troops — more than 5,000 soldiers, according to Trump himself — has “no relation” to his disagreement with the US president.
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