Trump lashes out at ‘really bad’ Germans over trade

PRESIDENT Donald Trump signalled that he is ready to start a trade war with Germany after called the country “very bad on trade” during a meeting with EU officials.

Mr Trump is unhappy that the US has a £50billion trade deficit with Germany and has promised to reverse the trend by slapping huge tariffs on German imports if necessary.

It was the latest in a series of attacks the president has aimed at Nato and G7 leaders during his European trip.

Mr Trump shocked Nato members by accusing them of scrimping on defence spending.

He continued in the same vein yesterday by walking well behind other G7 leaders as they strolled through the historic hill town of Taormina, where the summit is being held.

His comments about Germany – made during the Nato summit in Brussels – were leaked to Der Spiegel, which quoted him as saying: “The Germans

‘The Germans are bad, really bad. Look at the millions of cars they sell in the US. We’ll stop that’

are bad, very bad. Look at the millions of cars they’re selling in the US. We will stop that.”

White House economic adviser Gary Cohn tried to soften the president’s remarks, saying: “He said they’re very bad on trade, but he doesn’t have a problem with Germany.”