German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday stressed that robust ties between Berlin and Washington will endure despite a recent public disagreement with U.S. President Donald Trump over the war in Iran.
Addressing viewers of public broadcaster ZDF, Merz acknowledged the dispute but framed it as manageable. "We have a disagreement, but I can live with that," he said.
Merz made clear he intends to continue voicing his perspective and to keep lines of communication open. According to the chancellor, he and the U.S. president speak by telephone on a regular basis. That cadence of direct contact, Merz suggested, provides a forum for airing differences and seeking understanding.
"A good partnership has to be able to withstand differences of opinion," he added, underscoring his view that disagreement does not equate to a breakdown in the bilateral relationship.
The exchange between the German leader and the U.S. president followed a sharp public spat in which Mr. Trump responded to comments Merz had made about the handling of talks to end the war in Iran. The dispute intensified after Merz said the Iranians were humiliating the U.S. in efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict. In response, Trump said Merz "did not know what he was talking about."
Merz's remarks on ZDF reiterated his willingness to speak plainly while maintaining the underlying partnership. He presented the disagreement as a matter of policy difference rather than a rupture, and emphasized the importance of continued dialogue between the two governments.
Context and implications
The statements highlight an instance of frank diplomatic exchange at the leadership level and signal that, from Merz's perspective, disagreement over the Iran war does not preclude ongoing cooperation. The chancellor's remarks also emphasize the role of routine communication - in this case, regular phone calls - as a mechanism for managing bilateral tensions.