Partnership with US to continue no matter who's president, German finance minister says


  • World
  • Monday, 12 Feb 2024

FILE PHOTO: German Finance Minister Christian Lindner attends the weekly cabinet meeting at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany February 7, 2024. REUTERS/Liesa Johannssen

LONDON (Reuters) - The transatlantic partnership between the U.S. and European allies will continue no matter who is in the White House, Germany's finance minister said on Monday amid a furore over critical remarks about NATO by ex-U.S. President Donald Trump.

Running for another term as president in the November election, Trump suggested during a campaign rally on Saturday that he would not defend NATO allies who failed to spend enough on defence and would even encourage Russia to attack them.

"Regardless of who is in the White House, we have an overriding interest in continuing to cooperate across the Atlantic, economically, politically and also in matters of security," German Finance Minister Christian Lindner said.

Speaking during a visit to London, Lindner said Britain and Germany shared similar challenges when it comes to strengthening free trade capabilities.

"After Donald Trump's initial statements, this dialogue is of particular importance," Lindner said before going into a meeting with British counterpart Jeremy Hunt.

"We are facing major challenges as European members of NATO," Lindner said, adding that Europe's peace and free trade order had been put at risk by Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Lindner, referring to Britain's 2020 departure from the European Union, also said Brexit had made business in Britain more difficult for German companies, meaning that close dialogue between the countries was crucial.

"This intensive exchange and dialogue is necessary because, unfortunately, we can no longer see each other regularly within the framework of the European Union," Lindner said.

(Reporting by Maria Martinez; editing by Matthias Williams and Mark Heinrich)

   

Next In World

Indian parliament disrupted over Adani bribery charges, TotalEnergies pauses business with group
Wife of 'abducted' Ugandan opposition figure says he won't get justice
Britain imposes biggest sanctions package on Russian 'shadow fleet', says Lammy
Russia's army bigger than two years ago but quality has decreased, says NATO official
Greece recovers bodies of eight migrants off Samos island
Georgian ruling party defies protests, boycott to re-open parliament after disputed election
Satellite images suggest North Korea expanding missile plant, researchers say
Explainer-What is the state of Bolsonaro's legal trouble in Brazil?
Analysis-Bolsonaro sidelined from Brazil's political scene as Trump enjoys resurgence
Cargo plane crashes and skids into a house in Lithuania, killing at least one

Others Also Read