Germany’s foreign minister blasted President Trump’s “short-sighted” policies that have “weakened” western nations and damaged the European Union, according to a report on Monday.
“The short-sighted policies of the American government stand against the interests of the European Union,” Sigmar Gabriel told Agence France Presse, adding that “the West has become smaller, at least it has become weaker.”
“Anyone who accelerates climate change by weakening environmental protection, who sells more weapons in conflict zones and who does not want to politically resolve religious conflicts is putting peace in Europe at risk,” he said, referring to a Trump’s deal to sell $110 billion in arms to Saudi Arabia.
Gabriel’s comments come a day after Chancellor Angela Merkel railed against Trump for his blistering comments last week about NATO members and his refusal to say he would remain in the 2015 Paris climate agreement intended to curb carbon emissions worldwide.
“The times in which we could completely depend on others are on the way out,” Merkel said on Sunday. “I’ve experienced that in the last few days. [Europeans] must really take our destiny into our own hands.”
Merkel concluded that Germany could no longer “depend on the US.”
On Monday, she continued her assault on Trump during a speech in Berlin where she warned against simple answers “in view of the complexity of global contexts.”
“Anyone who puts on national blinkers and has no view of the world around him will ultimately get lost,” Merkel said without mentioning Trump’s name.
Trump, who in the past has called global warming a “hoax,” said he would make a decision this week on the Paris accord, which was brokered by former President Obama.
On Monday, Merkel’s spokesman said Germany was still committed on strengthening ties with Washington.
US-Germany relations “are a strong pillar of our foreign and security policy, and Germany will continue working to strengthen these relations,” Steffen Seibert told The Associated Press.
“Precisely because they are so important, it’s right to name differences honestly.”
Seibert added that Merkel is “a convinced trans-Atlanticist” but her recent remarks about the U.S. “speaks for itself.”
Trump’s remarks to America’s allies not only angered European leaders, it also infuriated some US diplomats, with one telling the Daily Beast his arrogance could damage foreign policy.
“When it comes to diplomacy, President Trump is a drunk tourist,” a State Department official told the Daily Beast. “Loud and tacky, shoving his way around the dance floor. He steps on others without realizing it. It’s ineffectual.”
The official took exception to Trump’s not endorsing the Paris accord, calling it an “abdication of American leadership.”
“One hundred and ninety-five nations never agree on anything, so when they do, accepting the measure should be easy,” the official said. “The United States needs to be out front on this pact.”