Germany’s vice chancellor says, US President Donald Trump has made a mess of the Iran war and that his focus should be on ending it. As fuel prices soar. Trump bears responsibility for the fallout — German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil said
German Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil has strongly defended Chancellor Friedrich Merz against criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, amid escalating tensions over the ongoing Iran conflict.
Speaking at a Labor Day event in Bergkamen, Klingbeil dismissed Trump’s remarks and made it clear that Germany does not require guidance from Washington at this stage. Instead, he urged Trump to focus on facilitating meaningful peace negotiations.
“We really don’t need any advice from Donald Trump right now,” Klingbeil said. “He should recognize the situation and ensure that serious peace talks are now taking place with Iran.”
Although Klingbeil, a Social Democrat, and Merz, a conservative, often differ politically, the vice-chancellor offered firm support for the chancellor in response to Trump’s recent public criticism. He stressed that his remarks were particularly directed at Trump’s repeated attacks on the German government in recent days, dw.com reports.
Klingbeil further argued that Trump now bears responsibility for helping bring the conflict to an end and must ensure that its economic consequences do not disproportionately impact workers, consumers, and businesses.
He also questioned Trump’s handling of the situation, suggesting that the president may have underestimated the complexity and duration of the conflict.
“It seems he thought it would all be resolved in just two or three days,” Klingbeil noted.
The vice-chancellor emphasized the need for Europe to strengthen its economic independence, warning against reliance on shifting political moods in Washington. “We must be strong enough economically so that we are not vulnerable to pressure from anyone,” he said, adding that Europe should not be dependent on Trump’s changing positions.
The remarks follow a sharp exchange between Merz and Trump. The German chancellor had criticized the United States for entering the Iran conflict without a clear strategy, warning that Tehran was gaining the upper hand in negotiations.
Trump responded forcefully, saying Merz “has no idea what he’s talking about” and urging him to stop interfering in U.S. policy. He also called on the German leader to focus instead on resolving the Russia-Ukraine war and addressing domestic challenges, particularly in immigration and energy.
Despite the growing tensions, Merz has maintained that his relationship with Trump remains solid. However, the dispute has intensified, with Trump saying he is reducing U.S. troop deployments in Germany.
