Trump, Merkel discuss nukes with little fanfare
Germany among nations pushing U.S. to maintain Iran nuclear agreement
WASHINGTON— Facing imminent deadlines, U.S. President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel largely papered over their differences on trade and the Iran nuclear accord on Friday, stressing instead ties between the longtime allies and their shared goal of a nuclear-free North Korea.
Still, Merkel’s brief visit, coupled with French President Emmanuel Macron’s more lavish stopover earlier in the week, made clear that Trump’s divisions with European allies remain substantial.
Trump and Merkel’s threehour visit at the White House contained little of the backslapping geniality that defined Macron’s three-day trip, including a lavish state dinner. While Trump and Macron complimented and embraced each other, the German chancellor kept her public statements brief and handshakes formal.
Trump is widely expected to withdraw the U.S. from the international Iran agreement next month, despite pleas from Macron earlier in the week and Merkel on Friday. Yet Merkel used her public comments after her meeting with Trump to try to gloss over that disagreement, calling the Obama-era accord a “first step” toward curtailing and containing Iran’s regional ambitions and suggesting openness to a side agreement.
Trump has said he, too, is open to new negotiations with Iran. But he has not said he will heed European calls for the U.S. to stay in the deal, which aims to restrict Iran’s nuclear efforts, while any further talks are underway. His decision on whether to exit the deal is expected by May 12 and he forcefully set out what he sees as the ultimate goal.
“They’re not going to be doing nuclear weapons. You can bank on it,” Trump declared at a news conference with Merkel.
Although Germany is unlikely to accept a wholesale rewrite of the Iran deal, Berlin has indicated that it is prepared to consider add-ons that would crack down on Tehran’s ballistic missile program and curb Iranian efforts to strengthen its strategic role in the Middle East.
On trade, Merkel saw little progress on obtaining permanent exemptions for the European Union from Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs, even as a May 1 decision deadline approaches.
German officials had signalled that their goals for Friday’s visit were modest.
Trump implicitly scolded Germany for not meeting NATO military spending obligations, saying it is “essential that our NATO allies increase their financial contribution.” Merkel said Germany’s latest budget will take defence spending to 1.3 per cent of their gross domestic product and the country is aiming for more over time. NATO countries are expected to devote 2 per cent of their GDP to defence.
Merkel flattered Trump on one issue, declaring the U.S. pressure campaign against North Korea deserved the lion’s share of the credit for the historic summit between leaders of North and South Korea. Trump praised Germany’s role in the effort, but said he would be “the closer” in the deal, saying “I think I have a responsibility” to oversee denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.